"The Water is the Master" – The subtitle of János Vajda's (1949) symphonic poem Titanic, composed in 2000, refers to Petőfi's poem Föltámadott a tengert ("The Sea Has Risen").

This work was commissioned by the Danubia Symphony Orchestra. Richard Strauss' poetic late masterpiece, Vier letzte Lieder (Four Last Songs), is actually a collection of four separate songs, based on poems by great poets.

One song is inspired by 19th-century Joseph von Eichendorff, and the other three by 20th-century Hermann Hesse. At the concert of the National Philharmonic Orchestra, celebrated soprano Polina Pasztircsák, known both in Hungary and abroad, will perform Strauss' masterpieces, infused with twilight poetry. The conductor, János Kovács, known for his versatility across all styles and genres, will also lead a true rarity: Antonín Dvořák’s symphonic poem The South Wind Witch, composed in 1896 when Dvořák was fifty-five years old.

The concert concludes with a piece that is not often played: Schubert’s Symphony No. 6 in C Major, D. 589, full of energy, drive, effervescence, and invention. Despite its vitality, its popularity has been overshadowed by the enduring fame of Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony in B minor and Symphony No. 9 in C Major, also known as the "Great C Major Symphony."

Program:

János VAJDA: Titanic – Symphonic Poem

Richard STRAUSS: Four Last Songs

--- Intermission ---

Antonín DVOŘÁK: The Witch of the South – Symphonic Poem, Op. 108

Franz SCHUBERT: Symphony No. VI in C Major, D. 589

Featuring:

Polina PASZTIRCSÁK – Soprano

National Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor: János KOVÁCS

Organizer: National Philharmonic Orchestra

Featured Image – Polina Pasztircsák, photo: Giancarlo Pradelli

Event Sponsor: Hungarian Academy of Arts