Bartók Spring returns with lavish cultural programmes next March

In 2023, Müpa Budapest will host its third Bartók Spring event series, and its vibrant cultural programme will not only appeal to classical music fans. Each year, the event takes us to unique venues in Budapest, while the best concerts take place in Müpa's stunning acoustic halls.

The all-arts event series offers a glimpse into famous Hungarian composer Béla Bartók's oeuvre. It does not exclusively feature his compositions, rather showcases his spirit and creativity in a wide range of genres, from contemporary classical music to world music, jazz, dance, visual arts, and popular music, through the best of the Hungarian and international art scene.

In the spring of 2023, the Czech Philharmonic will open the festival with a real novelty, the Piano Concerto by Thierry Escaich, a French organist long known and loved by Hungarian audiences. The piece will be accompanied by the immortal ballet music of Bartók and Igor Stravinsky, conducted by Semyon Bychkov, who was named Conductor of the Year by the International Opera Awards, and performed by the Korean-born young pianist Seong-Jin Cho. 

2023 will mark the 100th birthday of György Ligeti, a major event in classical music, which will of course be celebrated by the Bartók Spring, as well. Péter Eötvös, a former colleague of the composer, has chosen a violin, a cello, and a piano concerto for their performance with Klangforum Wien, which perfectly represent Ligeti's innovative, highly playful, and brilliantly eclectic musical world. The concertos will be performed by celebrated Hungarian artists Barnabás Kelemen, László Fenyő, and Zoltán Fejérvári.

Lovers of lighter genres should not miss one of the spring sensations on the rock music scene: the festival will mark the first Hungarian concert of the iconic American band EELS, fronted by Mark Oliver Everett.

The Orfeo Orchestra and the Purcell Choir, sworn to perform authentic early music compositions, are also bringing a real treat to the Easter weekend. The Hungarian performance of Gottfried Heinrich Stölzel's work, which will be performed in the Pesti Vigadó concert hall almost 300 years after its premiere, promises to be a sensation. 

The Swiss ensemble specialised in Baroque music, Gabetta Consort, led by violinist Andrés Gabetta, will bring Bach's finest orchestral works and arias to Budapest, performed on authentic instruments.

Dance fans, brace yourselves, as one of the most passionate flamenco dancers of our time, Sara Baras, will be performing a captivating show. With its sumptuous costumes, the pulsating rhythms of flamenco, and the overwhelming power of live music, Alma (Soul) invites the audience to a thrilling encounter with the 'Queen of Flamenco'.

The festival will also see the debut of Dániel Csengery's long-awaited children's opera, Frau Holle. The award-winning piece was written for Müpa Budapest’s 2020 Composition Competition. Although his name is associated with countless original film scores and theatre productions, Csengery has made a name for himself with the success of Hungarian film Liza the Fox-Fairy. His lively opera, conducted by Zsolt Jankó and performed by the Budapest Strings, will certainly live up to the expectations of fairy-tale-loving families.

London's Philharmonia Orchestra, with over 70 years of history, will perform one of Brahms' Festival Overtures, alongside masterpieces by emblematic Finnish and Hungarian composers. The choice is by no means a coincidence: the orchestra is led by one of the world's most innovative conductors, Finnish Santtu-Matias Rouvali, who will conduct Sibelius' dreamy Symphony No. 5 and Bartók's Violin Concerto No. 1, performed by one of Hungary's most outstanding violinists, Kristóf Baráti.

So there are plenty of reasons to look forward to spring, as from the last day of March, the Bartók Spring International Arts Weeks will once again offer unmissable programmes and unforgettable experiences for culture lovers and those looking to recharge their batteries. What's more, tickets make perfect Christmas gifts for your loved ones and a great reason to visit Budapest.