Hungary Live performance for Peace – Learn Thomas, Bach, Raichel, Mahler: Mirella Hagen (soprano), Diana Tishchenko (violin), Alexander Sitkovetsky (violin), Idan Raichel (voice), Taiseer Elias (oud), Budapest Competition Orchestra / Iván Fischer (conductor). Heroes Sq., Budapest, 31.8.2024. (AK)
Augusta Learn Thomas – Plea for Peace (2017, for soprano and string orchestra)
J.S. Bach – Concerto for Two Violins, BWV 1043
Idan Raichel – Mikol Ha’ahavot; Lifney Shayigamer; Shoshanim Atzuvot
Mahler – Symphony No.3, sixth motion: ‘Was mír die Liebe erzählt’
Iván Fischer and his Budapest Competition Orchestra have been presenting annual concert events freed from cost to all on the magnificent and traditionally necessary Hősök Tere (Heroes’ Sq.) for a few years.
This 12 months the theme of the live performance was peace; it was marketed as ‘Live performance for Peace’.
A couple of days earlier than the live performance, in a TV interview Fischer defined that in our present instances he felt that the orchestra needed to do one thing to point out that peaceable coexistence between fighters was doable.
The solo performers for this live performance consisted of Ukrainian, Russian, Jewish-Israeli and Arab-Israeli musicians, pairing them for his or her musical objects in line with present zones of army conflicts.
The programme itself additionally highlighted the message with the opening piece, the three Hebrew songs above love and Mahler’s subtitle for the sixth motion of his third symphony.
Fischer’s purpose was noble and honest. In contrast to different extremely publicised musical peace tasks, this live performance was absolutely credible with its concentrate on peace. Performers and the viewers united in rejecting battle and celebrating peace. (Moreover, in a TV interview Fischer clearly said that if he lived in Israel, he can be a peace activist.)
For me, musically the live performance was a combined bag. Half of it delivered astonishingly very good music making, the opposite half left me uncomfortable.
The primary merchandise did have the message clearly spelled out however, leaving the lyrics apart, I used to be unable to interact both with the composition or with the performer.
The pairing of Israeli-Arab Taiseer Elias (oud) and Israeli-Jewish Idan Raichel (voice) was on message from each dimension nevertheless it didn’t sit straightforward with me. Professor Elias’s common musical subject is a good distance from that of the extremely profitable versatile pop singer Raichel. They appeared comfortable collectively however the spotlight fell on Raichel’s absolutely dedicated supply of his pop songs. Regardless of the superb supply, I’m not certain if mixing classical music with pop songs inside a live performance blends effectively, even when for the noble purpose of uniting all in peace.
The efficiency of the Bach Double Violin Concerto was a miracle to behold. The 2 violinists are very totally different musical personalities. The Ukrainian violinist Diana Tishchenko is elegant, lets the notes converse for themselves whereas the Russian violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky is absolutely dedicated to each word. This time this concerto was really double, extra than simply by the variety of soloists: we had two totally different kinds presenting counterpoint and completely matching one another whereas additionally presenting utmost magnificence. Conductor Fischer accompanied with modesty and discretion; he stepped again to permit concentrate on the 2 violins.
Fischer’s supply of the Mahler motion is troublesome to explain. He took us on a musical journey which was clear in construction, passionate however appropriately measured, and lead us to a deeply transferring conclusion: music and peace triumphed.
The live performance was filmed and projected onto two giant screens, partly to supply surtitles but in addition to permit good visibility to the stage for the 1000’s of individuals within the viewers. It’s to be hoped that the filming was recorded for future relay: László Kecskés, the director of the screening, supplied crucial particulars in addition to a masterclass within the artwork of musical screening. Alongside Fischer and the soloists, he and the entire orchestra should take shared credit score for the success of this night.
Agnes Kory
Featured Picture: the curtain name for Live performance for Peace in Budapest’s Heroes Sq. @ Stiller Ákos
