February 4, 2009

Roby Lakatos Ensemble Fills Embassy Hall With World Jazz Gypsy Music

The Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS) and the Embassy of Hungary coorganized a sold-out concert by the globe-trotter Hungarian violinist Roby Lakatos and his wonderful gypsy ensemble on Friday, January 30, 8pm at the Grand Hall of the Embassy.

 

Violinist Roby Lakatos, founder of the band

Virtuoso fiddler Roby Lakatos is not only a scorching player, but a musician of extraordinary stylistic versatility. Equally comfortable performing classical, jazz, and his native Hungarian folk idiom, Lakatos is a musician who defies definition. His unparalleled technique places Lakatos among the best players in the world, but his musical curiosity and Roma heritage make him truly unique. He is the kind of musician rarely encountered in our time. Conjuring a 19th century sense of romanticism, Lakatos displays strength as an interpreter that derives from his experience as a composer and arranger, an improviser, a band leader, and consummate listener.

 

The Roby Lakatos Ensemble: Guitarist László Balogh, Double Bass Player Robert Fehér, Pianist Jánoska Frantisek, First Violinist Roby Lakatos, Cymbalist Jenő Lisztes, Second Violinist László Bóni

Before the concert, Cultural Attaché Béla Gedeon welcomed the audience to the Embassy, announcing that 'Extremely Hungary 2009', a year-long celebration of Hungarian culture would officially open in Washington, DC on Saturday, February 7, 8pm, then quickly presented the 2009 world tour of the Roby Lakatos Ensemble. President of WPAS, Neale Perl introduced the band, the concert and the Washington Performing Art Society.

 

WPAS President Neale Perl (right) and Cultural Attaché Béla Gedeon

 

The program included the following pieces (with a short intermission in between):

 

1. József Suha Balogh: Fire Dance

2. József Suha Balogh: Gypsy Bolero

3. Michel Legrand: Papa, can you hear me?

4. Roby Lakatos: A night in Marrakech

5. Deux Guitares (traditional)

6. Vladimir Cosma: Le Grand Blond avec un Chaussure Noire

7. József Suha Balogh: Cickom Paraphrase

8. Franz Liszt/Jenő Lisztes: Hungarian Rhapsody No.2.

9. I've met you/Mama (traditional Russian)

10. Russian Tango/Konfetki Baranotchki (traditional Russian)

11. Vittorio Monti: Csárdás

 

 

The band gave a fervent concert at the Embassy
 

Second Violinist László Bóni, First Violinist Roby Lakatos, Cymbalist Jenő Lisztes, Doube Bass Player Robert Fehér
 

Pianist Frantisek Jánoska and Guitarist László Balogh
 

The audience of the sold-out concert gave a standing ovation at the end of the concert, which was honored by the band with 3 extras