Palace of Arts (Müpa)’s organ is turning 20, so on April 25 and 26, the venue will welcome audiences with programs showcasing the instrument’s versatility.
The Orgona20 program series, conceived by Müpa’s resident organist László Fassang, has since its announcement been expanded to include events for children and families. The programs include silent film improvisation, organ lessons, and the world premiere of an organ competition, Müpa announced on Tuesday.
At the opening concert, Buster Keaton’s 1924 silent film will be reborn with Monika Melcová’s improvisational accompaniment. Before the screening, film historian Márton Kurutz will introduce the audience to the most interesting facts about the film and its music.
At the SonoStrata evening concert, the unusual trio of organ, saxophone, and live electronics will perform not in a hierarchical relationship, but as equal partners reinforcing one another, featuring saxophonists László Fassang, György Kurtág Jr., and Vincent Le Quang, with the collaboration of sound engineer Julien Aléonard.
The following morning’s “Organ Hits” matinee, led by László Fassang and two young organists, Mária Palkovics and Péter Túri, features music by Bach, Vivaldi, and Mozart, accompanied by numerous fascinating explanations.
During the Organ Lessons and Orgelkids sessions, participants will literally get their hands on the instrument; those interested can learn the most basic techniques, and children can even build a working pipe organ together.
The closing concert of the series will feature Marcel Dupré’s orchestral arrangement of Liszt’s *Ad nos ad salutarem undam,* as well as the world premiere of Judit Varga’s *Endless Fall Through the Crimson Sky – The Horizon Swallows Time,* performed with the participation of Jena-born organist Alexis Grizard.
In addition to the concerts and family activities, Müpa is also dedicating a special exhibition to the organ; Dániel Dömölky’s innovative instrument portraits present the organ from an unusual perspective.
Via MTI; Featured image: Wikipedia
