100 Gypsy Violins

They are one hundred musicians: violins, violoncellos, double bass, cimbaloms and clarinets, altogether to bring us lively and heart-rending music from a distressing tradition, the one of the gypsy, the one of an art that belongs only to them.

The constitution of this formation is like a legend. In 1985, the unforgettable soloist and Hungarian gipsy conductor, the primas Sándor Járóka (the Primas of king and the king of Primas) died. At his funeral, all Hungarian gypsy musicians came with their instruments to say goodbye to their spiritual chief. From this improvised serenade over the grave, this fabulous orchestra - the Budapest Gypsy Symphony Orchestra - was born.

The Orchestra has already had enormous success over the last years in many world-famous concert halls and festivals. They have already performed twice in the Philharmonie in the Grand Duchy.

Until the tragic death of László Berki in December 1997, the conductor of the National Hungarian State Ensemble was the leader of the orchestra; with his outstanding artistic personality he has left a remarkable stamp on the orchestra. It is thanks to him that Hungary's best musicians are members of the orchestra.

Names like Lakatos, Lendvai Csócsi, Boross, Berki, all members of the orchestra, are the « crème » of the Hungarian gypsy musician dynasties. One of the most outstanding members of the orchestra is the cimbalom virtuoso Oszkár Ökrös. He is the best player of this instrument in the world.

The instruments consist of 60 violins, 9 violas, 6 cellos, 10 double basses, 9 clarinets and 6 cimbaloms. The repertoire includes famous Hungarian and international gypsy music from Vittorio Monz and Grigoras Dinicu, to classical pieces from Johannes Brahms, Georges Bizet, Aram Khatchatourian, Johann Strauss.

Dressed in colourful, traditional costumes, the orchestra is much larger than most classical orchestras! Their earthy, native energy thrills everybody. Notably also, that the entire orchestra plays by heart, without a score.

Venue: Philharmonie

Organiser: Philharmonie

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Ticketing: For ticket reservations, see www.philharmonie.lu/en/programm/events.php?seite=event_details&id=2609

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