The programmes running until January 25 next year put equal focus on Hungarian composer Ferenc Erkel, who was born 200 years ago, and Austrian composer Gustav Mahler, born 150 years ago, said Rita Rubovszky.
Mahler worked in Budapest as director-conductor in the State Opera House in 1888-1891, she noted.
The spotlight will also be put on Franz Liszt, whose birth bicentenary will be celebrated all year next year, when Hungary will also be EU president in January-June.
On Sunday five pianos will be placed on central Budapest's main Andrassy Boulevard with artists reciting pieces by Erkel, Mahler, Liszt, contemporary composers, as well as 20th century music and jazz.
In the evening a statue of Mahler will be unveiled in the State Opera House, where his "Resurrection" Symphony will be performed.
In tribute to Mahler the Budapest Philharmonic Society will perform "The Song of the Earth" on January 25, with Angelika Kirchschlager and Michael Konig.
Source: Hungarian News Agency (MTI)
