This summer, there’s music in the air in Budapest. Until August 12th, the popular tunes of Bach, Mozart and Franz Liszt will brighten public places at major city landmarks for the Zenélő Budapest (Musical Budapest) festival. Among hundreds of short concerts, audiences can also listen to chanson and jazz. These 20-minute performances take place at Fishermen’s Bastion, in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica, at the Great Market Hall and even on the terrace of the historic Gerbeaud confectionery. In addition, Várkert Bazaar will be hosting full-length concerts every Sunday morning. The music will be in tune with the historic ambience of each show’s surroundings. No admission fee is required.
On June 3rd, revered Hungarian musician Gergely Bogányi takes Várkert Bazaar visitors on a musical journey as he plays his customised piano, his own invention that features a distinctive sound system. Beginning at 11am, Bogányi performs pieces by Liszt and Chopin. In case of rain, this performance will take place at the events hall within the Bazaar that can accommodate up to 400. Seating is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. On the Sundays that follow, music fans can look forward to jazz, guitar and duet concerts at the same venue.
Meanwhile throughout the week, passers-by can gather around major city-centre locations hosting balcony concerts, saxophone performances, folk music, and even tunes performed by a brass band, its members garbed in traditional hussar attire.
On Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays, opera permeates Fishermen’s Bastion between 4pm and 4:30pm. Every Saturday, the National Gallery will provide a stately backdrop for a synchronised performance where students of the Hungarian University of Fine Arts create paintings as jazz music plays.
For Gypsy music, head to the Great Market Hall, and for Chopin, Bizet and Paganini, St. Stephen’s Basilica.
For more information about the schedule and events, visit the Zenélő Budapest website.
