Performers:
Kálmán Balogh (cimbalom), Mihály Dresch (winds), Mónika Lakatos (vocals)
Sárik Péter Trio: Péter Sárik (piano), Tamás Péter (bass guitar), Attila Gálfi (drums)

Host: András Batta

The Cziffra Festival invites audiences to its two-part unique production series entitled Champions League. The first concert brings together outstanding artists of jazz and folk music, appearing on the stage in surprising, previously unheard formations.

Among the guest artists is Kálmán Balogh, Kossuth Prize–winning virtuoso of the cimbalom, who has long been committed to the stylistically refined fusion of folklore, classical music, and jazz. The evening is further enriched by Mihály Dresch, also a Kossuth Prize-awarded musician, whose personal musical language—whether in solo projects or with his ensembles—adds a distinctive character to the program.The third soloist of the concert is Mónika Lakatos, recipient of both the WOMEX Lifetime Achievement Award and the Kossuth Prize. Through her work, she preserves and revitalizes the pure traditions of gypsy culture, creating a unique world-music sound deeply rooted in her own musical heritage.

Their performances are complemented by the Sárik Péter Trio, who have delighted audiences by building bridges between jazz motifs and the works of the great masters of music history, including Beethoven and Bartók, revealing shared musical essences across genres.

The audience will be guided throughout the evening by András Batta, Széchenyi Prize–winning music historian.

At the beginning of the concert, the Cziffra Festival Awards will be presented.

Supporters of the Cziffra Festival:
Prime Minister’s Office of Hungary; Bethlen Gábor Fund

A musical Champions League, where the audience can be certain that something truly unique and extraordinary is about to happen. On the second evening of this special series created within the framework of the Cziffra Festival, some of Hungary’s most outstanding, world-class artists take the stage together.

Following the opening concert with a focus on jazz and folk music, this evening now belongs to the representatives of classical music—not to compete, but to support one another as a team, creating a shared musical experience. Since its very beginning, the Cziffra Festival has been known for developing distinctive program structures that are uniquely its own. Such concepts are a natural fit for Kristóf Baráti, Kossuth Prize–winning violinist and masterclass leader at the festival, as well as for Gergely Bogányi, the internationally acclaimed pianist renowned for his innovative concerts and for carrying forward the musical legacy of György Cziffra.

Technically brilliant, musically intimate, and consistently creative—these could well be the guiding words of the evening, and they also perfectly describe the artistry of the fourth performer of the night, Gábor Boldoczki. On this occasion, he joins János Balázs and his guests to explore, through the interplay of piano, violin, and trumpet, the synthesis of musical expression, stylistic diversity, and artistic collaboration.

The audience will be guided throughout the evening by András Batta, Széchenyi Prize–winning music historian.

At the beginning of the concert, the Cziffra Festival Awards will be presented.

Host: Szilvia Becze

Supporters of the Cziffra Festival:
Prime Minister’s Office of Hungary; Bethlen Gábor Fund

Ernő Kállai (violin), Elemér Balázs Jr., János Balázs (piano)

Kállai Quartet: Ernő Kállai, Géza Szajkó (violin), Kálmán Dráfi Jr. (viola), István Balázs (cello)

Host: Kálmán Dráfi

The Cziffra Festival and the Liszt Museum’s joint exhibition aims to showcase the piano training provided by the Liszt Academy, a straight line that can be traced through four generations from Liszt to the university’s piano professors of today. In connection with this, this time the works of Dohnányi, one of the leading piano teachers of the 20^th century, will be performed, including the Sonata for Violin and Piano in C-sharp minor, Op. 21, which was premiered in Vienna in 1912 and the composer himself played the keyboard part; and the Piano Quintet No. 1 in C minor, perhaps one of the most frequently performed pieces in Dohnányi’s oeuvre. The composition, designated Op. 1, is in fact a final exam piece, about which Brahms himself is reported to have said: “I could not have written it better myself.” The concert will be hosted by Kálmán Dráfi, who, as a student of György Cziffra and former teacher of János Balázs, artistic director of the festival, faithfully passes on the essence of his knowledge to generations of pianists.

Presented by: Cziffra Festival and Liszt Ferenc Memorial Museum and Research Centre

Supported by: the Prime Minister’s Office and the Bethlen Gábor Fund

János Balázs is a highly accomplished Hungarian pianist who began his career at the age of 16, having won the Franz Liszt International Piano Competition. He has received numerous international awards, including the ECHO Rising Star and Young Steinway Artist titles, and has been recognised in Poland for performing all of Frédéric Chopin’s works. Balázs is a permanent jury member for several prestigious competitions and has released over 15 albums. He is dedicated to performing and recording the works of contemporary Hungarian composers, particularly László Dubrovay’s complete piano pieces. His solo recital programme pays tribute to the legendary 20th-century Hungarian pianist, György Cziffra. Balázs is set to promote Cziffra’s life’s work and artistic legacy as widely as possible, with a programme ranging from emblematic works of Romantic piano literature to contemporary Hungarian music. The programme opens with Chopin and features works by the recently deceased Péter Eötvös and János Balázs’s close friend, László Dubrovay. The first three pieces draw inspiration from water, as seen in works by Chopin, Liszt and Strauss. This is followed by a Wagner paraphrase and one of Liszt’s most famous works: the Dante Sonata, frequently performed by Cziffra. Next, Hungarian music and improvisation take centre stage. First, János Balázs will perform an improvisation based on Hungarian folk music motifs. This is followed by character pieces by the aforementioned world-famous contemporary Hungarian composers. The evening will conclude with Liszt’s 6th Hungarian Rhapsody, inspired by Hungarian Gypsy music, a particular favourite of György Cziffra’s.

Supporter: Ministry of Culture and Innovation Hungary

János Balázs is a highly accomplished Hungarian pianist who began his career at the age of 16, having won the Franz Liszt International Piano Competition. He has received numerous international awards, including the ECHO Rising Star and Young Steinway Artist titles, and has been recognised in Poland for performing all of Frédéric Chopin’s works. Balázs is a permanent jury member for several prestigious competitions and has released over 15 albums. He is dedicated to performing and recording the works of contemporary Hungarian composers, particularly László Dubrovay’s complete piano pieces. His solo recital programme pays tribute to the legendary 20th-century Hungarian pianist, György Cziffra. Balázs is set to promote Cziffra’s life’s work and artistic legacy as widely as possible, with a programme ranging from emblematic works of Romantic piano literature to contemporary Hungarian music. The programme opens with Chopin and features works by the recently deceased Péter Eötvös and János Balázs’s close friend, László Dubrovay. The first three pieces draw inspiration from water, as seen in works by Chopin, Liszt and Strauss. This is followed by a Wagner paraphrase and one of Liszt’s most famous works: the Dante Sonata, frequently performed by Cziffra. Next, Hungarian music and improvisation take centre stage. First, János Balázs will perform an improvisation based on Hungarian folk music motifs. This is followed by character pieces by the aforementioned world-famous contemporary Hungarian composers. The evening will conclude with Liszt’s 6th Hungarian Rhapsody, inspired by Hungarian Gypsy music, a particular favourite of György Cziffra’s.

A joint concert of the Cziffra festival and the Liszt Institute Brussels. 

Supporter: Ministry of Culture and Innovation Hungary

Free admission, registration:  https://forms.gle/DWC948hQ1mVVAypo7

It is a rare occasion when the world-renowned French pianist David Fray — often dubbed the enfant terrible of the instrument — gives a solo recital in Budapest. Fray is recognized as one of the most influential Bach interpreters of our time, known for his dazzling, sometimes even shocking virtuosity that captivates audiences around the globe.

This evening’s program, part of the Cziffra Festival, begins in the Baroque era — a period of experimentation and the crystallization of musical norms — but presents Bach’s well-known works through the lens of the 20th century, thanks to arrangements by August Stradal, Samuil Feinberg, and Wilhelm Kempff.

While Fray places great emphasis on fidelity to the score, creativity is equally central to his artistry. From this unique blend emerges a level of virtuosity that perfectly aligns with the musical legacy represented by the Cziffra Festival.

In the first half of the concert, the French Baroque makes an appearance through works by Couperin and Rameau, culminating in three sonatas by the Neapolitan-born Scarlatti. And since the theme is experimentation, the finale gives voice to Richard Wagner — the great reformer, or perhaps fulfiller, of German art born of Bach’s legacy — whose musical visions are here reimagined through the language of the piano, in transcriptions by Franz Liszt and Hans von Bülow.

David Fray appears by arrangement of Arabella Arts. www.arabella-arts.com

The Cziffra Festival is supported by the Prime Minister’s Office, the Bethlen Gábor Fund Management Ltd., and the Ministry of Culture and Innovation.

Programme

The unique and innovative collaboration between Erika Miklósa and János Balázs, and the onstage magic they create together, has become not only a signature feature of the Cziffra Festival but also a distinctive highlight of Hungary’s classical music scene in recent years. There could be no more fitting occasion to further deepen their musical and artistic partnership than the birthday of the festival’s namesake—a highly anticipated annual event dedicated to preserving and celebrating the intellectual and musical legacy of György Cziffra.

This special evening, focused on the interplay between opera, the soprano voice, and the piano, will be enriched by the presence of Argentine tenor José Cura, whose unique musical style expands and complements the original concept, opening up new artistic perspectives. A versatile vocal artist, Cura is also known to Hungarian audiences as a conductor and composer. He has previously shared the stage with Erika Miklósa, and has performed in chamber partnership with János Balázs as part of the festival—but the three of them have never appeared together in this configuration. Their new collaboration and the South American colors woven into the program promise an exceptional musical journey—not only for the performers but for the audience as well.

The Cziffra Festival Awards will be presented at the beginning of the concert.

The Cziffra Festival is supported by the Prime Minister’s Office, the Bethlen Gábor Fund, and the Ministry of Culture and Innovation.