MÁV Symphony Orchestra Presented by Liszt Academy

We have come to expect unusual programme choices at Gergely Kesselyák concerts, which are designed to introduce audiences to lesser-known composers or more obscure works by the greats. The first surprise this evening is his own introduction as a composer, what’s more, with religious works. At the beginning of his career, even before his studies as conductor, he wrote two oratorios, three masses and an Ave Maria. St Margaret Mass was written for liturgical purposes for the Church of St Margaret on Villányi Road; the inspiration for the piece was sparked by the sound of a female choir merging with an orchestra. There is yet another rarity on show in the form of Ernő Dohnányi’s Stabat Mater, composed for a schoolboys’ choir in 1952 during his years of emigration in America, although at its premiere it was performed by a women’s choir. Many composers have written music to the text of this ancient church hymn which describes the pain of Christ’s mother as she stood in front of the Cross, the best known being the earliest, by Pergolesi, to which Dohnányi clearly refers in his work. The outstanding Angelica Girls’ Choir take the lead part in this concert. To ensure that the orchestra’s part is not restricted to choral accompaniment alone, we end with Beethoven’s most lively Symphony No. 4, in which it is easy to discern the great composer’s humour.