Program includes Franz Liszt, Hungarian Rhapsody No. 3 in D Major; Johannes Brahms, Hungarian Dance No. 15 in B-flat Major; Johannes Brahms, Hungarian Dance No. 1 in G Minor…..
BY: Kelly Skinner
New Brunswick, NJ (January 5, 2008)—State Theatre presents Budapest Festival Orchestra with Conductor and Founder Iván Fischer on Friday, January 23 at 8pm. Program includes Franz Liszt, Hungarian Rhapsody No. 3 in D Major; Johannes Brahms, Hungarian Dance No. 15 in B-flat Major; Johannes Brahms, Hungarian Dance No. 1 in G Minor; Pablo De Sarasate, ZigeunerweisenState Theatre’s “Hungarian Pride Week,” a celebration that includes the BFO and a performance by the Hungarian musical group, the Roby Lakatos Ensemble on Thursday, January 29 at 8pm.The orchestra series is sponsored by the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation. Tickets range from $30-75 (student, senior, and group discounts apply).
The program for BFO celebrates the influence of Gypsy music on classical music tradition as well as traditional gypsy folk music. Guest performers include famous father/son fiddlers József Lendvay and József Lendvay Jr. as well as cimbalom virtuoso Oszkar Okros.
Budapest Festival Orchestra
In just 25 years, the Budapest Festival Orchestra has made it into the club of the world’s most elite ensembles, with GRAMOPHONE recently ranking the orchestra at No. 9 in their Top 20 rankings. Formed in 1983 by founder andconductor,Iván Fischer, the BFO have represented Hungary in some of the world’s great concert halls including Zürich’s Tonhalle, New York’s Carnegie Hall, Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl, Tokyo’s Suntory Hall, and Paris’ Théâtre des Champs-Elysées.
Iván Fischer, founder and conductor
Iván Fischer has been the Conductor of the Budapest Festival Orchestra since he founded the celebrated ensemble in 1983. He has also been Principal Guest Conductor of Washington’s National Symphony Orchestra, and this autumn becomes the NSO’s Principal Conductor for two seasons. Born in Budapest in 1951, Fischer is one in a long line of important conductors sprung from the rich musical ground of Hungary, along with Fritz Reiner, George Szell, Eugene Ormandy, István Kertész, Georg Solti, Ferenc Fricsay, Sándor Végh, and several members of his own family. He first achieved public acclaim outside his native land, but returned to participate in the cultural renaissance that began in Hungary in the 1980s and caught fire with the fall of the iron curtain.
Iván Fischer’s partnership with the Budapest Festival Orchestra has been one of the great classical music success stories of the past 25 years. Fischer developed intense rehearsal methods for the musicians, emphasizing chamber music and creative work for each orchestra member. Soon after the orchestra’s founding, Fischer and the BFO were touring internationally, and a series of acclaimed recordings for Philips Classics further showcased their remarkable chemistry. The extraordinary achievements of the BFO have contributed to Iván Fischer’s reputation as a visionary and singularly inspiring orchestra leader.
For tickets (or a brochure), call the State Theatre ticket office at 732-246-SHOW (7469), or visit us online at www.StateTheatreNJ.org. The State Theatre ticket office, located at 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ, is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10am to 6pm; Wednesday 11am to 7pm and at least one hour prior to curtain on performance dates. For information on group outings and discounts, call 732-247-7200, ext. 536.
The State Theatre, a premier nonprofit venue for the performing arts and entertainment. The theater exists to enrich people’s lives, contribute to a vital urban environment, and build future audiences by presenting the finest performing artists and entertainers and fostering lifetime appreciation for the performing arts through education. The State Theatre’s programs are made possible, in part, by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, and individuals. Continental Airlines is the official airline of the State Theatre. The Heldrich is the official hotel of the State Theatre. The Star-Ledger is the official newspaper of the State Theatre. William Grant & Sons, our season spirits’ sponsor.
Budapest Festival Orchestra
Iván Fischer, founder and conductor
Fri, January 23 at 8pm
$75, $60, $40, $30
The orchestra series is sponsored by the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation
STATE THEATRE
15 Livingston Ave
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Ticket Office – 732-246-SHOW (7469)
Online – www.StateTheatreNJ.org
PHOTOS AND INTERVIEWS FURNISHED UPON REQUEST
Please contact Kelly Skinner at
732-247-7200, ext. 542 or by email at [email protected].
Information in this release is current as of January 5, 2008.
For up-to-the-minute information on events and State Theatre news,
visit the State Theatre online at www.StateTheatreNJ.org.
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Kelly Skinner, director of public relations
732-247-7200, ext. 542
[email protected] Renu Verma, marketing & pr coordinator
732-247-7200, ext. 517
[email protected]
“Drawn from the cream of Hungary’s younger players.” —The London Times
State Theatre presents
Budapest Festival Orchestra Iván Fischer, founder and conductor
Program: Franz Liszt, Hungarian Rhapsody No. 3 in D Major; Johannes Brahms, Hungarian Dance No. 15 in B-flat Major; Johannes Brahms, Hungarian Dance No. 1 in G Minor; Pablo De Sarasate, Zigeunerweisen

