May 14, 2007
Joint French-Hungarian Tribute to
Zoltán Kodály
The Embassy of Hungary hosted a
classical music performance by French violinist Frédéric Pelassy and
American pianist Martin Berkofsky to commemorate
the 125th birth anniversary of the genius Hungarian
composer Zoltán Kodály. The performance was jointly organized by the
Alliance Française de Washington and
the Embassy of Hungary.
 |
Ambassador Simonyi greeting the
audience that filled the Embassy's concert hall |
The program of the recital included
Zoltán Kodály’s Adagio for Violin and Piano, Ferenc Liszt’s
Sonata for Violin and Piano, César Franck’s Sonata, and Tsigan by Maurice
Ravel.
 |
The Director of the Alliance
Française, Laurent Mellier |
Ambassador András Simonyi made an opening speech at this special event, in
which he greeted the full-house audience, and emphasized the importance of
fostering Hungarian French and American relationships. The Ambassador
expressed his gratitude towards the acclaimed star musicians of the evening:
Frédéric Pelassy, who is said to be an exceptional musician, the
quality of whose performances has made him one of the foremost figures on
the French classical music scene, and Martin Berkofsky, who, according to
the New York Times, "feels every moment to the hilt and he is not afraid to
show it."
The concert was recorded by the Voice of
America Television.
 |
The artists:
Frédéric Pelassy (France) and Martin
Berkofsky (U.S.) |
