Ever since its formation in 1983 the Budapest Festival Orchestra has worked overtime to establish its reputation as Hungary’s entry in the Euro-orchestra stakes, keeping up a stream of recordings, tours and a constant media presence.
None of this would have paid off if the orchestra had not proved itself a world-class instrument. The focus of its concerts in London this year (two in June, two in November) is a cycle of the Beethoven piano concertos, but the orchestra’s playing has acquired such magnetism that it fairly upstaged the main event.
London, The Financial Times, June 10th, 2005, Richard Fairman |
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