The vitality and intensity of the Budapest Festival Orchestra has captured music-lovers’ hearts all over the world, with the Guardian declaring their playing ‘sensational throughout’. With their founder-conductor Iván Fischer, they perform works by Bela Bartók and Zoltán Kodály, both influenced by Hungarian folk music.

Before the First World War, the two composers travelled around central Europe to record and collect traditional folksongs. Alongside Bartók’s popular Six Romanian Folk Dances, the orchestra presents the original pieces on traditional folk instruments. Next, Sir András Schiff is the soloist for Bartók’s Third Piano Concerto, composed in his last months as a surprise birthday gift for his pianist wife. The National Youth Choir of Scotland has a chance to shine in the Seven Choruses, with members of the orchestra adding their voices to the mix. Kodály’s Dances of Galanta ends the concert with a celebration of soaring melodies and high energy.

Supported by Edwin Fox Foundation in memory of Joscelyn Fox