November 9, 2007

Kodály Anniversary Gypsy Band Concert Fills The Embassy

The Hubay Concert Ensemble gave a smashing concert in front of an audience crowding the Grand Hall of the Embassy on November 8 at 7pm. Lead Primate János Johan conducted the band of five, and their recital of Kodály, Bartók, Liszt, Weiner, Monti and Hubay pieces won the hearts of the young as well as the elderly.

Krisztián Oláh (viola), József Ökrös (stand up bass), Lead Primate János Johan (violin), Zoltán Ökrös (dulcimer), László Ökrös (clarinet)

The band is currently on a tour of Washington, New York and Woodbridge, New Jersey, and they will go on playing operettas by Imre Kálmán in Torda, Brassau and Bucharest in Romania on the 125th anniversary of the great Hungarian composer.

Clarinet solo by László Ökrös

Hubay Concert Ensemble was founded in 2005 in cooperation with Lead Primate János Johan, providing the opportunity for those who finished their studies in Rajkó Music School, and wanted to further develop technically and find their own paths by adapting gypsy music. The recording and releasing of their CD, which pointed out that these musicians are highly qualified, playing music by Hubay, Liszt and Kodály as well as music by Bach or Toselli. The band is interested in creating productions, which show that studying based on gypsy music results in a brand new sound. Hubay Concert Ensemble’s experimentation helps gypsy music and Hungarian folk music remain highly present in the 21^st century.