The concert was a demonstration of what makes a good conductor: a clear knowledge of the piece, a good hand or suggestion. Of course the answer to this faux naive question is a combination of all three, although the last is perhaps the most important.
Two of the seminar?s participants conducted Liszt?s Two Episodes From Lenau?s Faust. The Romanian Matei Pop conducted the first, but his interpretation lacked character and passion. But the Italian Federico Crisanaz brought energy and suggestion to the second episode.
The Hungarian Balázs Bánfi and the Italians Paolo Casiraghi and Silvano Mangiapelo brought Kodály?s Peacock Variations to the stage.
The Hungarian Huba Hollókői, the Dane Maria Badstue and Hui-Chin Wu from Taiwan conducted Bartók?s Dance Suite. The trio were outstanding on the programme, with Hollókői bringing precision and reflection to the piece, and Badstue demonstrating the prowess of a Middle Eastern dancer, her index finger transmitting the finest of signals, like a flower. Wu was energetic and had no fear of the orchestra.
The Dance Suite was the highlight of the close of the festival, which had the theme ?dance on all levels? this year.
Author: Éva Mikes / Photo: Kálmán Garas
