Mozart, Liszt or Gershwin for symphony orchestra and Hungarian cimbalom (hammer dulcimer)?

Outside Hungary it sounds unusual to include a typical Hungarian folk instrument, the cimbalom to perform with a symphony orchestra, but in Hungary the beauty of this instrumental combination has been known since the 19th century. Join us for an unforgettable musical travel á la hongroise through the most beautiful classical melodies ever.

The Danube Symphony Orchestra was formed in 1961. Since then they have given many performances both in Hungary and abroad. The Orchestra consists of 60 professional musicians.

They have had international contacts since 1983 and have been invited to play in many foreign countries. They have often accompanied solo artists at music competitions and participated in colourful operettas, ballets and oratorio performances as well.

Not only do the musicians work together in this orchestra but in several chamber orchestras as well. Besides their permanent conductor András Deák, they are often conducted by other Hungarian and foreign conductors. Many Hungarian and foreign guest artists have performed with the orchestra, including Giuseppe di Stefano from Italy, James Galway, a flautist from Ireland and Ray Charles, the jazz star from the USA. They have given performances in Germany, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Italy.

The program of the concert and the orchestra is expanded with a world-known typical Hungarian instrument Cimbalom (concert hammer dulcimer). This instrument is played primarily with beaters. It is equipped with a heavy frame for more dynamic power and added many strings courses for an extended range of sounds and a damper pedal to allow more dynamic control.

Their permanent concert hall is the theatre of the Danube Palace.

The Danube Palace

The Danube Palace, formerly the Casino of Lipótváros was established in 1883. It was founded by Miksa Falk, who was also its first president. The construction of the casino was completed in 1895, based on the plans of Vilmos Freund. Géza Márkus was the architect of the casino. The external facade is made by Mészáros and Gerstenberger and the architectural style of the building is neobaroque. The murals on the walls of the theatre were painted by Lajos Márk. Since its openingthe Casinohas excelled at patronising the arts: exhibitions and concerts have been held here, it has financed opera performances and it has also organised competitions. A great many famous people have given performances in the Casino such as Béla Bartók, Zoltán Kodály, Mark Twain and Antonin Dvorak.

Address: Zrínyi u. 5. Budapest 1051

Here is the Danube Palace on the map.

Spend the first evening of the New Year with our symphony concert organised in the beautiful neobaroque theatre of the Danube Palace. You can listen to a special programme which was compiled just for this evening by the Danube Symphony Orchestra, including well-known and popular works of famous composers.

The Concert starts at 20:00, and it is 2*45 minutes with an intermission.

PROGRAM OF THE NEW YEARS CONCERT

BY DANUBE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA



Part I 

Berlioz:

Rákóczi March

Erkel:

Palotás from the opera “László Hunyadi”

Haydn:

104th Symphony -Finale

Bartók:

Rumanian folk-dances

(7 little movements)

Liszt:

Les Preludes

Part II

Kálmán:

Devil-rider – Palotás

Lehár:

Gold and Silver Waltz

Kodály:

Háry János suite – Intermezzo

Dvorak:

8th Slavic Dance

Liszt:

Love Dreams

Monti:

Csárdás

Strauss:

Long live the Hungarians!

For an additional 47 USD you can purchase tickets to the Dinner and Cruise after the concert as a package.

After our Danube Symphony Orchestra concert we would like to invite you to see the Budapest in the romantic atmosphere of a dinner by candlelight surrounded by the friendly lights of the Danube capital. After the end of the performance in the Duna Palota (Danube Palace), our hostesses will accompany you to of one of our ships, which will take you on a one and a half hours long cruise with an excellent warm buffet-dinner. In the romantic candlelight atmosphere you can enjoy the wonderful view of the city swimming in light. After dinner you can also admire the panorama from the open upper deck of the ship. The meals are prepared by European, and world champion food sculptor, Attila Tanács, who is a true artist. He adds a creative touch to the already outstanding Hungarian and international cuisine served on our ships, placing emphasis on the harmony of color and form. The salon music is performed by 3 members of the Zoltán Kodály Awarded Hungária Folk Orchestra, including the world-famous violinist Zsigmond Vidak who was awarded the Bronze Merit Cross of the Hungarian Republic.

The ship cruise takes about one and a half hours, starts at 22:00, and waits for the guests from the theatre.

Menu

Cold entrees

Spiced cottage cheese cream and traditional greaves cream

Soups

Alföld style goulash with soup noodles

Tarragon vegetable soup with noodles

Main courses

Mini stuffed cabbage

Meatballs in tomato sauce

Turkey cutlets with vegetables in parsley sauce

Csongrád style pork slices in garlic sauce

Chicken Breast Paprika

Garnishes

Boiled potatoes

Potato lángos

Noodles

Steamed jasmine rice with corn

Vegetarian

Grilled polenta terrine with feta cheese

Grilled vegetables

Salads

Corn salad in dill and yoghurt dressing

Vinaigrette potato salad

Cucumber salad with sour cream dressing

Caesar salad

Desserts

Somló style sponge cake pudding

Mini tiramisu cup

Blueberry fruit cream with chocolate sponge cake

Chocolate mousse

Drinks

1 Glass of wine (or juice) and 1 bottle of mineral water

The meeting point for this program is at 19:30 at the Danube Palace/Duna Palota (1051 Zrinyi Street 5.)