Kurtág 100 — 2

The second of two reports from Budapest

The Kurtág 100 festival in Budapest unfolded over two weeks, with nightly concerts, talks here and there, an exhibition, piano music fresh off the press (see below), and a new documentary film (see trailer). Understandably, Fin de partie, which was presented in the city in October 2023, did not make it back again, but a clutch of new Budapest Music Center albums included a recording of that performance. One way or another, pretty much the entire output was featured, including a brand new piece for soprano and orchestra.

That had its first performance at Müpa on the night after the birthday concert there, on which I reported before. András Keller was on the podium this time, with his Concerto Budapest making tangy Hungarian sounds. Once more Kurtág came on to the platform at the end of the concert, here seen with Keller behind him.