The Liszt Year programmes that were part of Hungary?s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2011 showcased the work of the composer and his ties to Hungary and was a reminder of the rich Hungarian contribution to classical music, said Deputy State Secretary for Culture Judit Hammerstein, assessing the year?s events.
During Hungary?s EU presidency, a number of Hungarian orchestras and musicians represented the country abroad. The Budapest Festival Orchestra performed in London, where a ?Liszt Week? was also organised, the Liszt Ferenc Chamber Orchestra played in Madrid and toured the Baltic States, the Pannon Philharmonic Orchestra took the stage in Vienna and the National Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus were on the programme in Brussels.
Liszt concerts took place in about one-third of the countries of Europe thanks to the organisation of Hungarofest. There were 16 concerts in London, eight in Paris and ? alone in the first half of the year ? eight in Brussels. Concerts also took place in Prague, Vienna, Bayreuth, Rome and Moscow. Outside of Europe, Liszt was celebrated from New Haven to Tokyo. South Korea marked the anniversary with World Liszt Day and a Liszt competition.
Millions of people heard Liszt?s work in concert halls, churches and cultural institutes as well as on the television and radio, said Hungarofest?s director for strategy Monika Balatoni.
Thousands of young people found an example in the composer and performer Liszt in 2011, said Liszt Academy of Music rector András Batta. What more could one ask of a bicentennial, he added.
