cultures and worlds
“I owe all my successes to Hungarian music education. Culture is one of our greatest assets, an inexhaustible source of renewal and progress, a form of communication which can bring worlds closer to each other. Music and art have always been key manifestations of culture. This Heritage is our common asset. We should respect and remember it.”
HAVASI
cultures and worlds
“I owe all my successes to Hungarian music education. Culture is one of our greatest assets, an inexhaustible source of renewal and progress, a form of communication which can bring worlds closer to each other. Music and art have always been key manifestations of culture. This Heritage is our common asset. We should respect and remember it.”
HAVASI
Music is a bridge between
cultures and worlds
“I owe all my successes to Hungarian music education. Culture is one of our greatest assets, an inexhaustible source of renewal and progress, a form of communication which can bring worlds closer to each other. Music and art have always been key manifestations of culture. This Heritage is our common asset. We should respect and remember it.”
HAVASI
PREFACE
“Dear Reader: The book you are about to read only appears to be nice words and pictures. Actually, it is an impression of years of experiences, feelings and outstanding moments. As the title suggests, it’s the story of a fascinating journey, the diary of the development of a young artist, the kind who I think is only born once in a century; one who not only received talent as a gift from fate but also ambition and the ability to fight. As a producer I often find that people primarily consider me a business professional. But believe me, creating values and giving real emotions and experiences is not the best way of self-assertion these days. One in thousands of people can make it. I’m proud that I’ve been able to guide this special adventurous journey full of successes in recent years. At the same time, I’m sure this book is not about the arrival. To me, this book means the beginning of an even longer adventure.”
Csaba Marjai
producer
CONTENTS
On a solid ground of classical music
HAVASI Symphonic
Carnegie Hall, New York
Sydney Opera House
New World Center, Miami
Orchard Hall, Tokyo
European Arena Tour
Wembley Arena, London
Open Air Festivals
Passion – Drum & Piano
HAVASI Around The World
Heritage – Brush and Piano
Pure Piano
Spirit – The Unbending Trees
The Power of Change
Cultural Bridge
Péter Pejtsik
Lisa Gerrard
Lebo M
Leona Lewis
Ronan Keating
Youssou N’Dour
Experidance
Tina Guo
Director Brian Burke
Visual designer Gilles Papain
Ferenc Vittay Light and Stage Designer
Tamás Náray Costume Designer
PREFACE
“Dear Reader: The book you are about to read only appears to be nice words and pictures. Actually, it is an impression of years of experiences, feelings and outstanding moments. As the title suggests, it’s the story of a fascinating journey, the diary of the development of a young artist, the kind who I think is only born once in a century; one who not only received talent as a gift from fate but also ambition and the ability to fight. As a producer I often find that people primarily consider me a business professional. But believe me, creating values and giving real emotions and experiences is not the best way of self-assertion these days. One in thousands of people can make it. I’m proud that I’ve been able to guide this special adventurous journey full of successes in recent years. At the same time, I’m sure this book is not about the arrival. To me, this book means the beginning of an even longer adventure.”
Csaba Marjai
producer
CONTENTS
On a solid ground of classical music
HAVASI Symphonic
Carnegie Hall, New York
Sydney Opera House
New World Center, Miami
Orchard Hall, Tokyo
European Arena Tour
Wembley Arena, London
Open Air Festivals
Passion – Drum & Piano
HAVASI Around The World
Heritage – Brush and Piano
Pure Piano
Spirit – The Unbending Trees
The Power of Change
Cultural Bridge
Péter Pejtsik
Lisa Gerrard
Lebo M
Leona Lewis
Ronan Keating
Youssou N’Dour
Experidance
Tina Guo
Director Brian Burke
Visual designer Gilles Papain
Ferenc Vittay Light and Stage Designer
Tamás Náray Costume Designer
PREFACE
“Dear Reader: The book you are about to read only appears to be nice words and pictures. Actually, it is an impression of years of experiences, feelings and outstanding moments. As the title suggests, it’s the story of a fascinating journey, the diary of the development of a young artist, the kind who I think is only born once in a century; one who not only received talent as a gift from fate but also ambition and the ability to fight. As a producer I often find that people primarily consider me a business professional. But believe me, creating values and giving real emotions and experiences is not the best way of self-assertion these days. One in thousands of people can make it. I’m proud that I’ve been able to guide this special adventurous journey full of successes in recent years. At the same time, I’m sure this book is not about the arrival. To me, this book means the beginning of an even longer adventure.”
Csaba Marjai
producer
PREFACE
PREFACE
“Dear Reader: The book you are about to read only appears to be nice words and pictures. Actually, it is an impression of years of experiences, feelings and outstanding moments. As the title suggests, it’s the story of a fascinating journey, the diary of the development of a young artist, the kind who I think is only born once in a century; one who not only received talent as a gift from fate but also ambition and the ability to fight. As a producer I often find that people primarily consider me a business professional. But believe me, creating values and giving real emotions and experiences is not the best way of self-assertion these days. One in thousands of people can make it. I’m proud that I’ve been able to guide this special adventurous journey full of successes in recent years. At the same time, I’m sure this book is not about the arrival. To me, this book means the beginning of an even longer adventure.”
Csaba Marjai
producer
CONTENTS
On a solid ground of classical music
HAVASI Symphonic
Carnegie Hall, New York
Sydney Opera House
New World Center, Miami
Orchard Hall, Tokyo
European Arena Tour
Wembley Arena, London
Open Air Festivals
Passion – Drum & Piano
HAVASI Around The World
Heritage – Brush and Piano
Pure Piano
Spirit – The Unbending Trees
The Power of Change
Cultural Bridge
Péter Pejtsik
Lisa Gerrard
Lebo M
Leona Lewis
Ronan Keating
Youssou N’Dour
Experidance
Tina Guo
Director Brian Burke
Visual designer Gilles Papain
Ferenc Vittay Light and Stage Designer
Tamás Náray Costume Designer
On a solid ground of
classical music
HAVASI’s life has revolved around the piano since the age of four, when he had his talent discovered. During his studies he was extremely motivated by challenges and competitive situations. He would practice for ten hours a day to make the most of himself.
He learned the trade of classical music with respect and humility, studied the lives and works of various masters, and graduated from Franz Liszt University of Music. He came to recognise the huge responsibility involved in teaching, and taught in Budapest’s conservatory for years. As a performer of classical music he built up a vast repertoire, gave concerts in several towns across Europe, and won various piano contests.
On a solid ground of classical music
HAVASI’s life has revolved around the piano since the age of four, when he had his talent discovered. During his studies he was extremely motivated by challenges and competitive situations. He would practice for ten hours a day to make the most of himself.
He learned the trade of classical music with respect and humility, studied the lives and works of various masters, and graduated from Franz Liszt University of Music. He came to recognise the huge responsibility involved in teaching, and taught in Budapest’s conservatory for years. As a performer of classical music he built up a vast repertoire, gave concerts in several towns across Europe, and won various piano contests.
Zoom the video out with two fingers to go full-screen.
Creating a whole
new world of music
HAVASI is a contemporary composer who is able to impress the audience in the most elegant concert halls, theatres, sports halls or even the most popular summer festivals at the same time.
In recent years he has made it to the closed community of the international elite of artists all by himself. After ten years of experiments he created his peculiar and unique musical world. He has already composed for symphony orchestras, choirs, string ensembles and also for the rock drum and piano. It is common knowledge that he enjoys stretching the limits, often artificially established, of musical genres. He has sold more than 500.000 concert tickets and received long standing ovations in many of the world’s most iconic concert halls, such as the Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and the Wembley Arena.
Creating a whole
new world of music
HAVASI is a contemporary composer who is able to impress the audience in the most elegant concert halls, theatres, sports halls or even the most popular summer festivals at the same time.
In recent years he has made it to the closed community of the international elite of artists all by himself. After ten years of experiments he created his peculiar and unique musical world. He has already composed for symphony orchestras, choirs, string ensembles and also for the rock drum and piano. It is common knowledge that he enjoys stretching the limits, often artificially established, of musical genres. He has sold more than 500.000 concert tickets and received long standing ovations in many of the world’s most iconic concert halls, such as the Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and the Wembley Arena.
Zoom the video out with two fingers to go full-screen.
HAVASI SYMPHONIC
HAVASI
SYMPHONIC
A breathtaking musical experience: HAVASI Symphonic
Years of hard work, studies of classical music, thirty years on stage and a series of musical experiments came to fruition in a new musical production: HAVASI Symphonic.
This musical journey of nearly two and a half hours is a show where fascinating visual effects help you discover the cultural treasures of worlds and nations while the most advanced sound and light technology, special technical solutions and effects almost fix the audience to their seats. During this breathtaking experience, HAVASI as a composer pays tribute to the heritage of classical music, the diversity of world music and the pure power of rock music, while carrying the audience for a trip across five easily distinguishable musical scenes.
A breathtaking musical experience: HAVASI Symphonic
Years of hard work, studies of classical music, thirty years on stage and a series of musical experiments came to fruition in a new musical production: HAVASI Symphonic.
This musical journey of nearly two and a half hours is a show where fascinating visual effects help you discover the cultural treasures of worlds and nations while the most advanced sound and light technology, special technical solutions and effects almost fix the audience to their seats. During this breathtaking experience, HAVASI as a composer pays tribute to the heritage of classical music, the diversity of world music and the pure power of rock music, while carrying the audience for a trip across five easily distinguishable musical scenes.
Zoom the video out with two fingers to go full-screen.
CARNEGIE HALL,
NEW YORK
Carnegie Hall is one of the most prestigious concert venues in the world. Its main hall, the Isaac Stern Auditorium has been home to the most outstanding classical and popular music performances for more than a century and become an essential part of New York’s cultural life.
HAVASI’s performance was the first time that this venerable institution had given a Hungarian composer the opportunity to present an entire concert of his own compositions since the concert given there by Béla Bartók in 1943.
HAVASI traveled to New York for his US premiere with more than 50 of his fellow artists, as well as his own creative team from Hungary to perform Symphonic at Carnegie Hall at the same level of artistic and technical excellence that had sold out of many arena show tickets in Europe.
His sold-out US debut at New York’s landmark concert hall drew fifteen minutes of enthusiastic standing ovation from the illustrious audience.
CARNEGIE HALL,
NEW YORK
Carnegie Hall is one of the most prestigious concert venues in the world. Its main hall, the Isaac Stern Auditorium has been home to the most outstanding classical and popular music performances for more than a century and become an essential part of New York’s cultural life.
HAVASI’s performance was the first time that this venerable institution had given a Hungarian composer the opportunity to present an entire concert of his own compositions since the concert given there by Béla Bartók in 1943.
HAVASI traveled to New York for his US premiere with more than 50 of his fellow artists, as well as his own creative team from Hungary to perform Symphonic at Carnegie Hall at the same level of artistic and technical excellence that had sold out of many arena show tickets in Europe.
His sold-out US debut at New York’s landmark concert hall drew fifteen minutes of enthusiastic standing ovation from the illustrious audience.
Zoom the video out with two fingers to go full-screen.
SYDNEY OPERA
HOUSE
HAVASI is one of the few Hungarian artists who have performed at the Sydney Opera House, Australia’s iconic concert hall and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The sold-out premiere featured Australia’s own Lisa Gerrard as a special guest. The exclusive performance was greeted with a standing ovation from the audience, including many foreign dignitaries. Dr Michael Pulch, EU Ambassador to Australia, referred to the Hungarian concert as ‘cultural diplomacy at its best’.
SYDNEY OPERA
HOUSE
HAVASI is one of the few Hungarian artists who have performed at the Sydney Opera House, Australia’s iconic concert hall and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The sold-out premiere featured Australia’s own Lisa Gerrard as a special guest. The exclusive performance was greeted with a standing ovation from the audience, including many foreign dignitaries. Dr Michael Pulch, EU Ambassador to Australia, referred to the Hungarian concert as ‘cultural diplomacy at its best’.
Zoom the video out with two fingers to go full-screen.
SYDNEY OPERA
HOUSE
HAVASI is one of the few Hungarian artists who have performed at the Sydney Opera House, Australia’s iconic concert hall and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The sold-out premiere featured Australia’s own Lisa Gerrard as a special guest. The exclusive performance was greeted with a standing ovation from the audience, including many foreign dignitaries. Dr Michael Pulch, EU Ambassador to Australia, referred to the Hungarian concert as ‘cultural diplomacy at its best’.
Zoom the video out with two fingers to go full-screen.
NEW WORLD CENTER,
MIAMI
Miami’s landmark concert hall is one of HAVASI’s favorite venues for the debut performance of his latest compositions in front of an audience.
The New World Center is the ideal venue for these types of performances with its famed acoustics and intimate seating arrangement, offering exceptional proximity to the performer and allowing the audience to be totally absorbed as he entrances and captivates the inner world. ‘Miami holds a special place in my heart, as it is my home away from home. I love the intimate atmosphere of this place. Performing a new song is always a special experience for me, and I keep beautiful memories of these exceptional moments.’ - HAVASI
NEW WORLD CENTER,
MIAMI
Miami’s landmark concert hall is one of HAVASI’s favorite venues for the debut performance of his latest compositions in front of an audience.
The New World Center is the ideal venue for these types of performances with its famed acoustics and intimate seating arrangement, offering exceptional proximity to the performer and allowing the audience to be totally absorbed as he entrances and captivates the inner world. ‘Miami holds a special place in my heart, as it is my home away from home. I love the intimate atmosphere of this place. Performing a new song is always a special experience for me, and I keep beautiful memories of these exceptional moments.’ - HAVASI
Zoom the video out with two fingers to go full-screen.
NEW WORLD CENTER,
MIAMI
Miami’s landmark concert hall is one of HAVASI’s favorite venues for the debut performance of his latest compositions in front of an audience.
The New World Center is the ideal venue for these types of performances with its famed acoustics and intimate seating arrangement, offering exceptional proximity to the performer and allowing the audience to be totally absorbed as he entrances and captivates the inner world. ‘Miami holds a special place in my heart, as it is my home away from home. I love the intimate atmosphere of this place. Performing a new song is always a special experience for me, and I keep beautiful memories of these exceptional moments.’ - HAVASI
Zoom the video out with two fingers to go full-screen.
Orchard Hall,
Tokyo
HAVASI’s long-awaited Japanese debut took place in 2019 December 21 at Tokyo’s landmark classical music venue, the Orchard Hall. The sold-out Pure Piano premiere was an overwhelming success; the audience in Japan was thoroughly impressed by his innovative music and mold-breaking performance style.
Orchard Hall,
Tokyo
HAVASI’s long-awaited Japanese debut took place in 2019 December 21 at Tokyo’s landmark classical music venue, the Orchard Hall. The sold-out Pure Piano premiere was an overwhelming success; the audience in Japan was thoroughly impressed by his innovative music and mold-breaking performance style.
Zoom the video out with two fingers to go full-screen.
Orchard Hall,
Tokyo
HAVASI’s long-awaited Japanese debut took place in 2019 December 21 at Tokyo’s landmark classical music venue, the Orchard Hall. The sold-out Pure Piano premiere was an overwhelming success; the audience in Japan was thoroughly impressed by his innovative music and mold-breaking performance style.
Zoom the video out with two fingers to go full-screen.
EUROPEAN ARENA
TOUR
An arena tour is the pinnacle of success in the music industry, and HAVASI Symphonic is the first ever Hungarian cultural production that was able to take the leap and measure up to the task of realizing it.
It took a crew of 165 people to make it happen, including more than 100 artists, 45 technical staff members and 20 drivers. The 300 sq m stage accommodated 500 m³ equipment carried to the location by six trucks, while the staff arrived on seven tour buses.
EUROPEAN ARENA
TOUR
An arena tour is the pinnacle of success in the music industry, and HAVASI Symphonic is the first ever Hungarian cultural production that was able to take the leap and measure up to the task of realizing it.
It took a crew of 165 people to make it happen, including more than 100 artists, 45 technical staff members and 20 drivers. The 300 sq m stage accommodated 500 m³ equipment carried to the location by six trucks, while the staff arrived on seven tour buses.
WEMBLEY ARENA,
LONDON
‘Good evening, Wembley.’ No other Hungarian artist has ever had the chance to say these words on the stage of this iconic venue.
Ten years after his very first symphonic concert at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, HAVASI proved that in the world of music, nothing is impossible. Talent, diligence, perseverance and hard work always lead to success. On the 27th of October 2019, the Hungarian pianist’s entire country celebrated his success in London.
WEMBLEY ARENA,
LONDON
‘Good evening, Wembley.’ No other Hungarian artist has ever had the chance to say these words on the stage of this iconic venue.
Ten years after his very first symphonic concert at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, HAVASI proved that in the world of music, nothing is impossible. Talent, diligence, perseverance and hard work always lead to success. On the 27th of October 2019, the Hungarian pianist’s entire country celebrated his success in London.
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OPEN AIR
FESTIVALS
Outdoor concerts are a lovely way to enjoy fantastic music in a beautiful setting. From public squares and parks to high streets, all the world’s a stage.
Open-air concerts seldom offer the same acoustic quality as concert halls, but they can offer something that city venues will never be able to provide: dramatic mountains, a glittering sea, a Mediterranean breeze and, sometimes, real adventures for the whole family. There are very few musicians in the world who can entertain tens of thousands of people in an open-air environment with a single instrument. Nevertheless, HAVASI loves these unique occasions when classical music finally goes wild.
OPEN AIR
FESTIVALS
Outdoor concerts are a lovely way to enjoy fantastic music in a beautiful setting. From public squares and parks to high streets, all the world’s a stage.
Open-air concerts seldom offer the same acoustic quality as concert halls, but they can offer something that city venues will never be able to provide: dramatic mountains, a glittering sea, a Mediterranean breeze and, sometimes, real adventures for the whole family. There are very few musicians in the world who can entertain tens of thousands of people in an open-air environment with a single instrument. Nevertheless, HAVASI loves these unique occasions when classical music finally goes wild.
PASSION
From Paris to Berlin,
from Hong Kong to New York:
success is all the same
His innovative efforts, his speech at the TED Global and his informal way of addressing the audience from stage intrigued the organisers of acclaimed international events.
HAVASI was guest of honour at the gala of Marco Luchetta International Press Prize, the FIFA congress, the 3rd Confucius Institute World Conference, the jubilee celebration of the Hong Kong Chinese Industry & Commerce Association, the European event of Meeting Professionals International, the Shanghai World Expo and gala evenings organised by the publishers of the magazines Italian Vogue, Vanity Fair and Traveller.
From Paris to Berlin,
from Hong Kong to New York:
success is all the same
His innovative efforts, his speech at the TED Global and his informal way of addressing the audience from stage intrigued the organisers of acclaimed international events.
HAVASI was guest of honour at the gala of Marco Luchetta International Press Prize, the FIFA congress, the 3rd Confucius Institute World Conference, the jubilee celebration of the Hong Kong Chinese Industry & Commerce Association, the European event of Meeting Professionals International, the Shanghai World Expo and gala evenings organised by the publishers of the magazines Italian Vogue, Vanity Fair and Traveller.
Zoom the video out with two fingers to go full-screen.
From Paris to Berlin,
from Hong Kong to New York:
success is all the same
His innovative efforts, his speech at the TED Global and his informal way of addressing the audience from stage intrigued the organisers of acclaimed international events.
HAVASI was guest of honour at the gala of Marco Luchetta International Press Prize, the FIFA congress, the 3rd Confucius Institute World Conference, the jubilee celebration of the Hong Kong Chinese Industry & Commerce Association, the European event of Meeting Professionals International, the Shanghai World Expo and gala evenings organised by the publishers of the magazines Italian Vogue, Vanity Fair and Traveller.
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DRUM & PIANO
A battle of instruments
The Battle of Instruments is one of the most popular
and spectacular parts of HAVASI Symphonic, where the classical pianist confronts with a real rock drummer, Endi, on the stage. The result is breathtaking virtuosity and
a musical energy bomb.
DRUM & PIANO
A battle of instruments
The Battle of Instruments is one of the most popular and spectacular parts of HAVASI Symphonic, where the classical pianist confronts with a real rock drummer, Endi, on the stage. The result is breathtaking virtuosity and musical energy bomb.
DRUM & PIANO
A battle of instruments
The Battle of Instruments is one of the most popular and spectacular parts of HAVASI Symphonic, where the classical pianist confronts with a real rock drummer, Endi, on the stage. The result is breathtaking virtuosity and musical energy bomb.
DRUM & PIANO
A battle of instruments
The Battle of Instruments is one of the most popular
and spectacular parts of HAVASI Symphonic, where the classical pianist confronts with a real rock drummer, Endi, on the stage. The result is breathtaking virtuosity and
a musical energy bomb.
“They say the piano is the queen of instruments. This is a nice simile. It enhances the softness and elegance of the instrument and emphasises its feminine side. I always wanted to produce a musical project to demonstrate that the piano also has a very different aspect.” HAVASI
Endi, a dare-devil of the band Hooligans, is a very special drummer. While at first sight it may be striking to see him share the stage with HAVASI, the two friends have nearly the same approach to music and the difference between them is merely apparent. Launched as a bold experiment, the Drum & Piano Project became a brilliant success within a short time.
What do you think happens if you match a classical pianist and a rock drummer with their instruments on stage? The result is breathtaking virtuosity and a musical energy bomb.
The co-production of Endi and HAVASI premiered after almost two years of preparation to prove that even today you can create a kind of music which comes as a surprise to the world. All you need is an original idea and two unique characters.
“They say the piano is the queen of instruments. This is a nice simile. It enhances the softness and elegance of the instrument and emphasises its feminine side. I always wanted to produce a musical project to demonstrate that the piano also has a very different aspect.” HAVASI
Endi, a dare-devil of the band Hooligans, is a very special drummer. While at first sight it may be striking to see him share the stage with HAVASI, the two friends have nearly the same approach to music and the difference between them is merely apparent. Launched as a bold experiment, the Drum & Piano Project became a brilliant success within a short time.
What do you think happens if you match a classical pianist and a rock drummer with their instruments on stage? The result is breathtaking virtuosity and a musical energy bomb.
The co-production of Endi and HAVASI premiered after almost two years of preparation to prove that even today you can create a kind of music which comes as a surprise to the world. All you need is an original idea and two unique characters.
“Virtuosity alone is worth nothing. Virtuosity can only play a role in music if it helps express
one of the most important things in the world: passion”, says HAVASI.
“Virtuosity alone is worth nothing. Virtuosity can only play a role in music if it helps express one of the most important things in the world: passion”, says HAVASI.
HERITAGE
HERITAGE
Brush and Piano
Brush and Piano is a special journey to the past. Works by Mihály Munkácsy on huge screens and a meticulously designed stage show in the style of theatre performances help invoke the great painter’s spirit from a distance of 150 years.
Music and the world-famous paintings present history,
the Hungarian nation, heroes, commitment and love.
Painting and music merge to turn the auditorium
to a gigantic exhibition hall for a while.
Brush and Piano
Brush and Piano is a special journey to the past. Works by Mihály Munkácsy on huge screens and a meticulously designed stage show in the style of theatre performances help invoke the great painter’s spirit from a distance of 150 years.
Music and the world-famous paintings present history, the Hungarian nation, heroes, commitment and love. Painting and music merge to turn the auditorium to a gigantic exhibition hall for a while.
Brush and Piano
Brush and Piano is a special journey to the past. Works by Mihály Munkácsy on huge screens and a meticulously designed stage show in the style of theatre performances help invoke the great painter’s spirit from a distance of 150 years.
Music and the world-famous paintings present history,
the Hungarian nation, heroes, commitment and love.
Painting and music merge to turn the auditorium
to a gigantic exhibition hall for a while.
“When I was a child, my father would take me to an exhibition every weekend. I’ll never forget the way I was standing in front of the huge pictures of Munkácsy while my father was telling me stories. Now those stories have become musical notes.
To me Brush and Piano is a timeless journey.” HAVASI
Mihály Munkácsy, the genius painter, left a remote little village in Hungary to make a long and arduous journey all the way to world fame, success and recognition. The former joiner’s apprentice became a celebrated artist, the greatest painter of his age, who made galleries compete for his pictures and was received by the US President in person to express his admiration.
150 years later a Hungarian pianist-composer, HAVASI, stands in front of the breathtaking paintings and starts composing under their influence. Art, music and painting intersect and give rise to Brush & Piano.
“A special encounter in the
infinite universe of art”
“When I was a child, my father would take me to an exhibition every weekend. I’ll never forget the way I was standing in front of the huge pictures of Munkácsy while my father was telling me stories. Now those stories have become musical notes.
To me Brush and Piano is a timeless journey.” HAVASI
Mihály Munkácsy, the genius painter, left a remote little village in Hungary to make a long and arduous journey all the way to world fame, success and recognition. The former joiner’s apprentice became a celebrated artist, the greatest painter of his age, who made galleries compete for his pictures and was received by the US President in person to express his admiration.
150 years later a Hungarian pianist-composer, HAVASI, stands in front of the breathtaking paintings and starts composing under their influence. Art, music and painting intersect and give rise to Brush & Piano.
“A special encounter in the
infinite universe of art”
Zoom the video out with two fingers to go full-screen.
“When I was a child, my father would take me to an exhibition every weekend. I’ll never forget the way I was standing in front of the huge pictures of Munkácsy while my father was telling me stories. Now those stories have become musical notes.
To me Brush and Piano is a timeless journey.” HAVASI
Mihály Munkácsy, the genius painter, left a remote little village in Hungary to make a long and arduous journey all the way to world fame, success and recognition. The former joiner’s apprentice became a celebrated artist, the greatest painter of his age, who made galleries compete for his pictures and was received by the US President in person to express his admiration.
150 years later a Hungarian pianist-composer, HAVASI, stands in front of the breathtaking paintings and starts composing under their influence. Art, music and painting intersect and give rise to Brush & Piano.
“A special encounter
in the infinite
universe of art”
Zoom the video out with two fingers to go full-screen.
PURE PIANO
With Pure Piano, the composer aims to prove that even today a single piano is perfectly enough for a charismatic artist to deeply move and entertain the audience.
In these special concerts, HAVASI performs his music while revealing his secrets behind the pieces, creating a heartfelt, intimate atmosphere complemented by lights and digital visuals designed specifically for the series.
PURE PIANO
With Pure Piano, the composer aims to prove that even today a single piano is perfectly enough for a charismatic artist to deeply move and entertain the audience.
In these special concerts, HAVASI performs his music while revealing his secrets behind the pieces, creating a heartfelt, intimate atmosphere complemented by lights and digital visuals designed specifically for the series.
Zoom the video out with two fingers to go full-screen.
SPIRIT
SPIRIT
The Unbending Trees
A The Unbending Trees is a special musical experience which gets to the core of the spirit. The Symphonic Concert show includes the song You Are A Lover, which was made a success by Tracey Thorn in 2010.
When singer-lyricist Kristóf Hajós-Dévényi started to write English lyrics to the piano pieces of HAVASI in 2006, no record company would have predicted a great success for those puritan, soft and brutally sincere chamber ballads. However, British musical producer Ben Watt took notice of the compositions and a fairy tale began.
A new band was formed with the name The Unbending Trees and it soon earned the recognition of the biggest musical critics in the UK (The Times, The Guardian, The Independent). No Hungarian band had ever reached such successes earlier.
The Unbending Trees
A The Unbending Trees is a special musical experience which gets to the core of the spirit. The Symphonic Concert show includes the song You Are A Lover, which was made a success by Tracey Thorn in 2010.
When singer-lyricist Kristóf Hajós-Dévényi started to write English lyrics to the piano pieces of HAVASI in 2006, no record company would have predicted a great success for those puritan, soft and brutally sincere chamber ballads. However, British musical producer Ben Watt took notice of the compositions and a fairy tale began.
A new band was formed with the name The Unbending Trees and it soon earned the recognition of the biggest musical critics in the UK (The Times, The Guardian, The Independent). No Hungarian band had ever reached such successes earlier.
The Unbending Trees
A The Unbending Trees is a special musical experience which gets to the core of the spirit. The Symphonic Concert show includes the song You Are A Lover, which was made a success by Tracey Thorn in 2010.
When singer-lyricist Kristóf Hajós-Dévényi started to write English lyrics to the piano pieces of HAVASI in 2006, no record company would have predicted a great success for those puritan, soft and brutally sincere chamber ballads. However, British musical producer Ben Watt took notice of the compositions and a fairy tale began.
A new band was formed with the name The Unbending Trees and it soon earned the recognition of the biggest musical critics in the UK (The Times, The Guardian, The Independent). No Hungarian band had ever reached such successes earlier.
Countless Hungarian bands have already produced excellent arrangements of the songs of innumerable world stars. By contrast, it is unprecedented that a Hungarian band has its song arranged by a world star. The story of The Unbending Trees proves that nothing is impossible in music.
Their music entranced Tracey Thorn, the world-famous member of the band Everything But The Girl, indisputably one of the best female voices in the history of pop music, so much that her latest solo album called Love and its Opposite came to include an arrangement of You Are A Lover, written by HAVASI and Hajós. The album achieved a huge success worldwide and made the Hungarian musicians famous overnight.
Pete Paphides, a leading music critic in England, flew to Budapest to interview the two authors in their native country and tried to discover the secret of their success in the columns of The Times. At the invitation of BBC 6, the band became the second Hungarian performer after Márta Sebestyén to record a live “radio session”. Their debut album was received with unanimous enthusiasm by Jim Gellatly (XFM Scotland), Rob Da Bank (BBC Radio 1) and Molloy Woodcraft (The Observer).
Countless Hungarian bands have already produced excellent arrangements of the songs of innumerable world stars. By contrast, it is unprecedented that a Hungarian band has its song arranged by a world star. The story of The Unbending Trees proves that nothing is impossible in music.
Their music entranced Tracey Thorn, the world-famous member of the band Everything But The Girl, indisputably one of the best female voices in the history of pop music, so much that her latest solo album called Love and its Opposite came to include an arrangement of You Are A Lover, written by HAVASI and Hajós. The album achieved a huge success worldwide and made the Hungarian musicians famous overnight.
Pete Paphides, a leading music critic in England, flew to Budapest to interview the two authors in their native country and tried to discover the secret of their success in the columns of The Times. At the invitation of BBC 6, the band became the second Hungarian performer after Márta Sebestyén to record a live “radio session”. Their debut album was received with unanimous enthusiasm by Jim Gellatly (XFM Scotland), Rob Da Bank (BBC Radio 1) and Molloy Woodcraft (The Observer).
Countless Hungarian bands have already produced excellent arrangements of the songs of innumerable world stars. By contrast, it is unprecedented that a Hungarian band has its song arranged by a world star. The story of The Unbending Trees proves that nothing is impossible in music.
Their music entranced Tracey Thorn, the world-famous member of the band Everything But The Girl, indisputably one of the best female voices in the history of pop music, so much that her latest solo album called Love and its Opposite came to include an arrangement of You Are A Lover, written by HAVASI and Hajós. The album achieved a huge success worldwide and made the Hungarian musicians famous overnight.
Pete Paphides, a leading music critic in England, flew to Budapest to interview the two authors in their native country and tried to discover the secret of their success in the columns of The Times. At the invitation of BBC 6, the band became the second Hungarian performer after Márta Sebestyén to record a live “radio session”. Their debut album was received with unanimous enthusiasm by Jim Gellatly (XFM Scotland), Rob Da Bank (BBC Radio 1) and Molloy Woodcraft (The Observer).
THE POWER OF CHANGE
THE POWER OF CHANGE
HARLEM GOSPEL CHOIR
Voices Of Change is one of the biggest artistic endeavours of HAVASI, where the pianist-composer’s special musical world is involved in yet another merger, this time with the tune of Amazing Grace and the American gospel culture.
The Harlem Gospel Choir is one of the world’s best known gospel choirs. Each of their performances is a special celebration of music, love and faith; their genuine talent enables them to deeply touch their audience.
The HAVASI movement made with the Harlem Gospel Choir and Gigi Radics, and the video clip shot in New York are about the positive strength which we all share and which enables us to radically change our own lives.
HARLEM GOSPEL CHOIR
Voices Of Change is one of the biggest artistic endeavours of HAVASI, where the pianist-composer’s special musical world is involved in yet another merger, this time with the tune of Amazing Grace and the American gospel culture.
The Harlem Gospel Choir is one of the world’s best known gospel choirs. Each of their performances is a special celebration of music, love and faith; their genuine talent enables them to deeply touch their audience.
The HAVASI movement made with the Harlem Gospel Choir and Gigi Radics, and the video clip shot in New York are about the positive strength which we all share and which enables us to radically change our own lives.
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Cultural Bridge
Cultural
Bridge
LEGENDARY REPRESENTATIVES OF
CULTURES AND NATIONS
“While we were born in different continents, we speak the same language deep in our hearts. And that common language is the language of music.” - HAVASI
The show owes much of its diversity to nearly 20 soloists, each a master of his or her special instrument. The Armenian duduk, the Irish flute, the African djembe drum and the Chinese two-string erhu are exotic instruments that are rarely heard by the general public. At the same time, their poignant sound may be familiar to all from the world of soundtracks. HAVASI Symphonic can bring cultures and people closer to each other, symbolising the diversity of cultures and the universality of music at a time, and popularising the joy of common music.
LEGENDARY REPRESENTATIVES OF
CULTURES AND NATIONS
“While we were born in different continents, we speak the same language deep in our hearts. And that common language is the language of music.” - HAVASI
The show owes much of its diversity to nearly 20 soloists, each a master of his or her special instrument. The Armenian duduk, the Irish flute, the African djembe drum and the Chinese two-string erhu are exotic instruments that are rarely heard by the general public. At the same time, their poignant sound may be familiar to all from the world of soundtracks. HAVASI Symphonic can bring cultures and people closer to each other, symbolising the diversity of cultures and the universality of music at a time, and popularising the joy of common music.
THE POWER OF IMAGINATION:
The orchestra and the soloists
THE POWER OF IMAGINATION: The orchestra and the soloists
PETER PEJTSIK
He is a charismatic artist with a proficiency in a number of musical styles and an intimate knowledge of nearly every field from classical trends through soundtracks to the most diverse genres of pop music.
He has contributed to the music of more than 100 Hungarian and international films, musicals, plays, symphonic pop records, computer games and building projections. He has released 13 albums and has toured the world with After Crying, the band that he founded and manages. In addition to his independent projects, he often composes or orchestrates for such international clients as the BBC, Eurodisney or Peter Gabriel’s Real World Music.
He not only appears on stage as the conductor of HAVASI Symphonic but also gives an impressive presentation of his unique instrument skills as he plays the violin, the cello and the bass guitar.
PETER PEJTSIK
He is a charismatic artist with a proficiency in a number of musical styles and an intimate knowledge of nearly every field from classical trends through soundtracks to the most diverse genres of pop music.
He has contributed to the music of more than 100 Hungarian and international films, musicals, plays, symphonic pop records, computer games and building projections. He has released 13 albums and has toured the world with After Crying, the band that he founded and manages. In addition to his independent projects, he often composes or orchestrates for such international clients as the BBC, Eurodisney or Peter Gabriel’s Real World Music.
He not only appears on stage as the conductor of HAVASI Symphonic but also gives an impressive presentation of his unique instrument skills as he plays the violin, the cello and the bass guitar.
Lisa Gerrard
The special guests of the Arena Show include a musical idol of HAVASI, Australian singer, musician and composer Lisa Gerrard, who became renowned over the world as a member of the band Dead Can Dance.
For the soundtrack of the film Gladiator, co-produced with Hans Zimmer, she was nominated for an Oscar and received the Golden Globe.
Her characteristic, incomparable, painfully magnificent contralto voice is often heard in the biggest box-office hits of Hollywood.
In addition to Gladiator, her own compositions are performed in a number of films, including Baraka, Heat, Mission Impossible II, Man on Fire and The Insider.
Lisa Gerrard
The special guests of the Arena Show include a musical idol of HAVASI, Australian singer, musician and composer Lisa Gerrard, who became renowned over the world as a member of the band Dead Can Dance.
For the soundtrack of the film Gladiator, co-produced with Hans Zimmer, she was nominated for an Oscar and received the Golden Globe.
Her characteristic, incomparable, painfully magnificent contralto voice is often heard in the biggest box-office hits of Hollywood.
In addition to Gladiator, her own compositions are performed in a number of films, including Baraka, Heat, Mission Impossible II, Man on Fire and The Insider.
Lebo M.
The guest star at HAVASI Symphonic is the Grammy Award winning producer, composer and singer, Lebo M., the co-composer and performer of The Lion King.
The double Oscar and triple Golden Globe winning movie The Lion King is the most successful movie ever in the category of hand-drawn animation. Its musical adaptation became the most successful Disney theatrical production of all time on Broadway in 2012.
Lebo M. has been an active musician since the age of 9, and has won numerous prestigious awards in his home country, in the UK and the USA too. Lebo M. has been an artistic partner of Quincy Jones, Hans Zimmer, Sting and Elton John. Because of his unique talents he has worked on the soundtracks for 12 movies for studios like Disney, Warner Bros., Paramount and Sony Pictures. The albums on which he has worked have sold more than 20 million copies.
“The HAVASI show’s artistic concept is to honestly embrace the culture of the whole world. I have also always tried to inspire huge audiences with my music and also transmit cultural values at the same time.” — Lebo M.
Lebo M.
The guest star at HAVASI Symphonic is the Grammy Award winning producer, composer and singer, Lebo M., the co-composer and performer of The Lion King.
The double Oscar and triple Golden Globe winning movie The Lion King is the most successful movie ever in the category of hand-drawn animation. Its musical adaptation became the most successful Disney theatrical production of all time on Broadway in 2012.
Lebo M. has been an active musician since the age of 9, and has won numerous prestigious awards in his home country, in the UK and the USA too. Lebo M. has been an artistic partner of Quincy Jones, Hans Zimmer, Sting and Elton John. Because of his unique talents he has worked on the soundtracks for 12 movies for studios like Disney, Warner Bros., Paramount and Sony Pictures. The albums on which he has worked have sold more than 20 million copies.
“The HAVASI show’s artistic concept is to honestly embrace the culture of the whole world. I have also always tried to inspire huge audiences with my music and also transmit cultural values at the same time.” — Lebo M.
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Leona lewis
British singer-songwriter Leona Lewis was the special guest star of HAVASI Symphonic in 2016. She achieved international recognition when she won The X Factor and signed a recording contract with Simon Cowell’s record label.
Her debut single broke a world record for reaching 50,000 digital downloads within 30 minutes. Furthermore, Leona Lewis has become the first British woman to top the US pop chart in more than 20 years with her single ‘Bleeding Love’, and also topped charts in more than 30 other countries. She performed the song, as well as ‘Fire Under My Feet’ and Avatar’s title song ‘I See You’ for the first time in Hungary at the Budapest Arena, together with the artists of HAVASI Symphonic.
Leona lewis
British singer-songwriter Leona Lewis was the special guest star of HAVASI Symphonic in 2016. She achieved international recognition when she won The X Factor and signed a recording contract with Simon Cowell’s record label.
Her debut single broke a world record for reaching 50,000 digital downloads within 30 minutes. Furthermore, Leona Lewis has become the first British woman to top the US pop chart in more than 20 years with her single ‘Bleeding Love’, and also topped charts in more than 30 other countries. She performed the song, as well as ‘Fire Under My Feet’ and Avatar’s title song ‘I See You’ for the first time in Hungary at the Budapest Arena, together with the artists of HAVASI Symphonic.
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Ronan Keating
Ronan Keating debuted in 1994 as the co-lead singer of Irish boy band Boyzone. He started his solo career in 1999 and has since recorded nine albums. He gained worldwide attention when his single ‘When You Say Nothing at All’ was featured in the film Notting Hill and peaked at No. 1 in several countries.
As a solo artist, he has sold over 20 million records. Ronan Keating was also listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the only artist to ever have 30 consecutive top 10 singles in the UK chart, beating the likes of Elvis Presley. He performed a never-before-heard version of ‘Father and Son’ with HAVASI at the Budapest Arena in 2017. ‘This has always been one of my favorite songs as I feel a personal connection with it. The first time I heard it, I felt that my father was giving me life advice, and now the perspective has completely switched and I feel like I am the father giving advice to my son.’ - HAVASI
Ronan Keating
Ronan Keating debuted in 1994 as the co-lead singer of Irish boy band Boyzone. He started his solo career in 1999 and has since recorded nine albums. He gained worldwide attention when his single ‘When You Say Nothing at All’ was featured in the film Notting Hill and peaked at No. 1 in several countries.
As a solo artist, he has sold over 20 million records. Ronan Keating was also listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the only artist to ever have 30 consecutive top 10 singles in the UK chart, beating the likes of Elvis Presley. He performed a never-before-heard version of ‘Father and Son’ with HAVASI at the Budapest Arena in 2017. ‘This has always been one of my favorite songs as I feel a personal connection with it. The first time I heard it, I felt that my father was giving me life advice, and now the perspective has completely switched and I feel like I am the father giving advice to my son.’ - HAVASI
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Youssou N’Dour
Grammy Award winner Youssou N’Dour was the special guest star of HAVASI Symphonic in 2018. The Senegalese singer, songwriter and composer is best known worldwide for his biggest international hit single, the trilingual ‘7 Seconds’.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated with music legends such as Peter Gabriel, Sting, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen and Tracy Chapman.
Youssou N’Dour is one of the most celebrated African musicians in history. He combines traditional Senegalese music with eclectic influences ranging from Cuban rumba to hip hop, jazz and soul. At the concert finale in Budapest, N’Dour and his fellow African artists collaborated in the performance of HAVASI’s ‘Streets of Sorrow’. With elements of both Hungarian and African folk songs, the unique performance was a symbolic cultural bridge between the two continents.
Youssou N’Dour
Grammy Award winner Youssou N’Dour was the special guest star of HAVASI Symphonic in 2018. The Senegalese singer, songwriter and composer is best known worldwide for his biggest international hit single, the trilingual ‘7 Seconds’.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated with music legends such as Peter Gabriel, Sting, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen and Tracy Chapman.
Youssou N’Dour is one of the most celebrated African musicians in history. He combines traditional Senegalese music with eclectic influences ranging from Cuban rumba to hip hop, jazz and soul. At the concert finale in Budapest, N’Dour and his fellow African artists collaborated in the performance of HAVASI’s ‘Streets of Sorrow’. With elements of both Hungarian and African folk songs, the unique performance was a symbolic cultural bridge between the two continents.
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Experidance
Hungary’s premiere dance troupe, ExperiDance Production, led by visionary choreographer Sandor Roman, brings a special enrichment to the HAVASI Symphonic experience.
ExperiDance’s strength is its ability to tame fiery Hungarian folk dances by combining them with popular international and modern trends, and yet to take them to the limit, thus creating an absolutely unique style. In this way, they they are able to preserve and popularize old dance traditions while making them understandable and enjoyable for people today.
These “roaming ambassadors” of Hungarian dance culture have performed to full houses in more than 1,500 shows in 12 countries, which clearly proves that Hungarian dance – presented in modern, world-class performances – can touch the hearts of audiences anywhere in the world.
“It is unbelievably inspiring to be a part of such a monumental yet meticulously precise show. I have dreamt up a choreography of artistic renewal worthy of HAVASI’s music.” — Sandor Roman
Experidance
Hungary’s premiere dance troupe, ExperiDance Production, led by visionary choreographer Sandor Roman, brings a special enrichment to the HAVASI Symphonic experience.
ExperiDance’s strength is its ability to tame fiery Hungarian folk dances by combining them with popular international and modern trends, and yet to take them to the limit, thus creating an absolutely unique style. In this way, they they are able to preserve and popularize old dance traditions while making them understandable and enjoyable for people today.
These “roaming ambassadors” of Hungarian dance culture have performed to full houses in more than 1,500 shows in 12 countries, which clearly proves that Hungarian dance – presented in modern, world-class performances – can touch the hearts of audiences anywhere in the world.
“It is unbelievably inspiring to be a part of such a monumental yet meticulously precise show. I have dreamt up a choreography of artistic renewal worthy of HAVASI’s music.” — Sandor Roman
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Tina guo
The unique trio performance: Tina Guo, Péter Pejtsik and HAVASI is one of the top musical highlights of the Symphonic Show.
Tina Guo appeared as a soloist in the biggest US box-office hit, Cirque Du Soleil Michael Jackson “The Immortal” World Tour before nearly 2 million people between 2011 and 2013, filling the largest arenas in the world. Her solo is heard in a number of films, including Sherlock Holmes, Iron Man 2, Clash of the Titans and Journey, which was nominated for the award Soundtrack of the Year at the 2013 Grammy Ceremony.
“When I play my cello, I am completely pure, naked, and open. I long for the moments when my outer shell no longer matters. I hunger for every genuine tear of sorrow, joy, or understanding shared. When you can hear me for who I am, and see me in a way that doesn’t involve looking at me, but rather looking through me, only then can I be satisfied”, she says.
Tina guo
The unique trio performance: Tina Guo, Péter Pejtsik and HAVASI is one of the top musical highlights of the Symphonic Show.
Tina Guo appeared as a soloist in the biggest US box-office hit, Cirque Du Soleil Michael Jackson “The Immortal” World Tour before nearly 2 million people between 2011 and 2013, filling the largest arenas in the world. Her solo is heard in a number of films, including Sherlock Holmes, Iron Man 2, Clash of the Titans and Journey, which was nominated for the award Soundtrack of the Year at the 2013 Grammy Ceremony.
“When I play my cello, I am completely pure, naked, and open. I long for the moments when my outer shell no longer matters. I hunger for every genuine tear of sorrow, joy, or understanding shared. When you can hear me for who I am, and see me in a way that doesn’t involve looking at me, but rather looking through me, only then can I be satisfied”, she says.
A SYMPHONY BROUGHT TO LIFE
AN INTERNATIONAL CREATIVE TEAM BEHIND SUCCESS
A SYMPHONY BROUGHT TO LIFE
AN INTERNATIONAL CREATIVE TEAM BEHIND SUCCESS
BRIAN BURKE
The director
of the show
Brian Burke is now one of the most popular directors in the world of high-budget shows.
He is credited for the artistic direction of Céline Dion’s Las Vegas show The New Day, created together with Franco Dragone, the founder of Cirque du Soleil.
The show, which introduced a new form of theatre entertainment and a fusion of song, performing art, innovative stagecraft and state-of-the-art technology, became one of the best box offices in musical history, generating more than 400 million dollars in four and a half years.
BRIAN BURKE
The director
of the show
Brian Burke is now one of the most popular directors in the world of high-budget shows.
He is credited for the artistic direction of Céline Dion’s Las Vegas show The New Day, created together with Franco Dragone, the founder of Cirque du Soleil.
The show, which introduced a new form of theatre entertainment and a fusion of song, performing art, innovative stagecraft and state-of-the-art technology, became one of the best box offices in musical history, generating more than 400 million dollars in four and a half years.
“I always wanted to visualise a symphony, a piece of music, so directing the HAVASI Symphonic Arena Show was like a dream come true. I’ve always been working with pop artists, like Elton John, Bette Midler and Céline Dion, and I visualised their music for their performances. But when I began to work with Il Divo,
I really got a passion and a thirst for classical music.
As we listened to HAVASI’s music, the ideas were coming up. His music was so inspiring that we couldn’t stop creating.
After doing shows all over the world, in China, Japan, India, the UK and a lot in America, I venture to say people in Las Vegas would also love HAVASI. They’re very into “spectacle” but they’re also thirsty for culture.
What’s beautiful about this show to me is that the composer is performing in the show. It’s a fusion of having the star and the writer and the orchestra all on one stage. It’s really a rare opportunity in the world and I’m really happy to do it here.”
“I always wanted to visualise a symphony, a piece of music, so directing the HAVASI Symphonic Arena Show was like a dream come true. I’ve always been working with pop artists, like Elton John, Bette Midler and Céline Dion, and I visualised their music for their performances. But when I began to work with Il Divo,
I really got a passion and a thirst for classical music.
As we listened to HAVASI’s music, the ideas were coming up. His music was so inspiring that we couldn’t stop creating.
After doing shows all over the world, in China, Japan, India, the UK and a lot in America, I venture to say people in Las Vegas would also love HAVASI. They’re very into “spectacle” but they’re also thirsty for culture.
What’s beautiful about this show to me is that the composer is performing in the show. It’s a fusion of having the star and the writer and the orchestra all on one stage. It’s really a rare opportunity in the world and I’m really happy to do it here.”
GILLES PAPAIN
VISUAL DESIGNER
The visual effects of the Arena Show were created by French visual designer Gilles Papain, credited for several stage productions from the US to Japan and from Mexico to India. An accomplished theatre professional, he was active in the creative team of the Marseilles Opera and the Monte Carlo ballet for years. He worked with Paula Abdul and Céline Dion, and was the senior visual designer of the international ballet premieres of Aida, Othello and Faust. He is familiar with the world of classical music, finds HAVASI’s music international, so he created a visual world which had never been seen before.
The idea of Gilles was clear from the beginning: to create a kind of theatrical atmosphere in the huge space and to make various projections serve the most important thing, music itself. The monumental background videos follow almost from second to second the surge and beat of music for a cathartic effect and a free flight of the audience’s imagination.
GILLES PAPAIN
VISUAL DESIGNER
The visual effects of the Arena Show were created by French visual designer Gilles Papain, credited for several stage productions from the US to Japan and from Mexico to India. An accomplished theatre professional, he was active in the creative team of the Marseilles Opera and the Monte Carlo ballet for years. He worked with Paula Abdul and Céline Dion, and was the senior visual designer of the international ballet premieres of Aida, Othello and Faust. He is familiar with the world of classical music, finds HAVASI’s music international, so he created a visual world which had never been seen before.
The idea of Gilles was clear from the beginning: to create a kind of theatrical atmosphere in the huge space and to make various projections serve the most important thing, music itself. The monumental background videos follow almost from second to second the surge and beat of music for a cathartic effect and a free flight of the audience’s imagination.
GILLES PAPAIN
VISUAL DESIGNER
The visual effects of the Arena Show were created by French visual designer Gilles Papain, credited for several stage productions from the US to Japan and from Mexico to India. An accomplished theatre professional, he was active in the creative team of the Marseilles Opera and the Monte Carlo ballet for years. He worked with Paula Abdul and Céline Dion, and was the senior visual designer of the international ballet premieres of Aida, Othello and Faust. He is familiar with the world of classical music, finds HAVASI’s music international, so he created a visual world which had never been seen before.
The idea of Gilles was clear from the beginning: to create a kind of theatrical atmosphere in the huge space and to make various projections serve the most important thing, music itself. The monumental background videos follow almost from second to second the surge and beat of music for a cathartic effect and a free flight of the audience’s imagination.
Ferenc Vittay
Light and Stage Designer
HAVASI's concert shows are a feast for the ears, as well as the eyes: the artists carry the audience along on a fascinating journey through constantly unfolding musical scenes rendered in a captivating visual environment.
Ferenc Vittay is an incredible light and stage designer. As a musician himself, he has a beautiful imagination for creating breathtaking visual environments for every composition. He designed the stages and lights for some of the most extraordinary events in Hungary, from the biggest concerts, the most impressive award shows to the largest music festivals in the region.
As a permanent member of HAVASI's creative team, Ferenc never stops to innovate; he presents the composer's thoughts in every new show and every new piece as a fully immersive audiovisual experience, enhanced by the latest technology in lighting and stage design.
Ferenc Vittay
Light and Stage Designer
HAVASI's concert shows are a feast for the ears, as well as the eyes: the artists carry the audience along on a fascinating journey through constantly unfolding musical scenes rendered in a captivating visual environment.
Ferenc Vittay is an incredible light and stage designer. As a musician himself, he has a beautiful imagination for creating breathtaking visual environments for every composition. He designed the stages and lights for some of the most extraordinary events in Hungary, from the biggest concerts, the most impressive award shows to the largest music festivals in the region.
As a permanent member of HAVASI's creative team, Ferenc never stops to innovate; he presents the composer's thoughts in every new show and every new piece as a fully immersive audiovisual experience, enhanced by the latest technology in lighting and stage design.
TAMaS NaRAY
COSTUME DESIGNER
"To design fashionable clothes, especially for a star, is both great fun and an exciting job. But to work with a lot of celebrities at the same time means a challenge and a continuous trial of strength.
And if this happens to be done to enhance the diversity of a concert or a huge show with complete confidence placed in the designer at that, it is a great privilege and a tough job because of the consequent responsibility.
Truly gifted people have a whole lot of faces. An every inch modern composer may look elegant in aristocratic attire with a sizeable collar but can also be unconventionally wild in leather and modern jeans.
TAMaS NaRAY
COSTUME DESIGNER
To design fashionable clothes, especially for a star, is both great fun and an exciting job. But to work with a lot of celebrities at the same time means a challenge and a continuous trial of strength.
And if this happens to be done to enhance the diversity of a concert or a huge show with complete confidence placed in the designer at that, it is a great privilege and a tough job because of the consequent responsibility.
Truly gifted people have a whole lot of faces. An every inch modern composer may look elegant in aristocratic attire with a sizeable collar but can also be unconventionally wild in leather and modern jeans.
The composer can even be the “Little Prince” with his sincere soul, setting out to tame the world in his gorgeous jewelled coat and the finest silk. The power of HAVASI lies in his versatility and I really enjoyed presenting and enhancing his different faces.
This came to be the basis for the wardrobe of all soloists and musicians in the concert, which reflects the same versatility. Their costumes were inspired by classical trends but they also wink at today’s world, which is sometimes wild and at other times too sophisticated.
But beyond a point, designing and making costumes for the concert were no longer about fashion but about a big journey to another world; to HAVASI’s unique and impressive musical world, which arouses emotions, sometimes lulls people, respects traditions and is yet very modern. Wherever I went on business, I always heard HAVASI’s records. His music helped me wander through the realm of imagination.”
Tamas Naray
The composer can even be the “Little Prince” with his sincere soul, setting out to tame the world in his gorgeous jewelled coat and the finest silk. The power of HAVASI lies in his versatility and I really enjoyed presenting and enhancing his different faces.
This came to be the basis for the wardrobe of all soloists and musicians in the concert, which reflects the same versatility. Their costumes were inspired by classical trends but they also wink at today’s world, which is sometimes wild and at other times too sophisticated.
But beyond a point, designing and making costumes for the concert were no longer about fashion but about a big journey to another world; to HAVASI’s unique and impressive musical world, which arouses emotions, sometimes lulls people, respects traditions and is yet very modern. Wherever I went on business, I always heard HAVASI’s records. His music helped me wander through the realm of imagination.”
Tamas Naray
TAMaS NaRAY
COSTUME DESIGNER
To design fashionable clothes, especially for a star, is both great fun and an exciting job. But to work with a lot of celebrities at the same time means a challenge and a continuous trial of strength.
And if this happens to be done to enhance the diversity of a concert or a huge show with complete confidence placed in the designer at that, it is a great privilege and a tough job because of the consequent responsibility.
Truly gifted people have a whole lot of faces. An every inch modern composer may look elegant in aristocratic attire with a sizeable collar but can also be unconventionally wild in leather and modern jeans.
The composer can even be the “Little Prince” with his sincere soul, setting out to tame the world in his gorgeous jewelled coat and the finest silk. The power of HAVASI lies in his versatility and I really enjoyed presenting and enhancing his different faces.
This came to be the basis for the wardrobe of all soloists and musicians in the concert, which reflects the same versatility. Their costumes were inspired by classical trends but they also wink at today’s world, which is sometimes wild and at other times too sophisticated.
But beyond a point, designing and making costumes for the concert were no longer about fashion but about a big journey to another world; to HAVASI’s unique and impressive musical world, which arouses emotions, sometimes lulls people, respects traditions and is yet very modern. Wherever I went on business, I always heard HAVASI’s records. His music helped me wander through the realm of imagination.”
Tamas Naray
HAVASI
Around the world
HAVASI
Around the world
Standing ovation
to a speech at TED
HAVASI presented his latest musical project at TED Global, the most prestigious scientific conference in the world. His aim was to prove that musical genres and categories are permeable, and that the piano, an instrument designed more than 200 years ago, is definitely able to remain modern and widely popular in the 21st century.
TED Global, which hosted speeches by various Nobel Prize winners, Bill Clinton, Gordon Brown and Bill Gates, had its first participant from Hungary, since its inception in 1984. TED Global aims to present innovators from the world of science, entertainment and technology, whose creativity and novel ways of looking at things are able to change and reshape the world.
Standing ovation
to a speech at TED
HAVASI presented his latest musical project at TED Global, the most prestigious scientific conference in the world. His aim was to prove that musical genres and categories are permeable, and that the piano, an instrument designed more than 200 years ago, is definitely able to remain modern and widely popular in the 21st century.
TED Global, which hosted speeches by various Nobel Prize winners, Bill Clinton, Gordon Brown and Bill Gates, had its first participant from Hungary, since its inception in 1984. TED Global aims to present innovators from the world of science, entertainment and technology, whose creativity and novel ways of looking at things are able to change and reshape the world.
The Fastest Pianist
of the World in 2009:
a Guinness World Record
Committed to making the piano popular also among today’s young people, HAVASI chose popular and playful ways to reach the audience: together with the Guinness World Records Committee, he founded the title “The Fastest Pianist of the World” and became the first one to set up the record.
By setting up the record, he drew attention to the importance of marketing and communication in classical music, and also challenged the world’s pianists to a global game. The project has proved such a success that it attracts young pianists from all over the world from year to year, and they make a huge profit of the attention received due to the record in building their future careers.
The Fastest Pianist
of the World in 2009:
a Guinness World Record
Committed to making the piano popular also among today’s young people, HAVASI chose popular and playful ways to reach the audience: together with the Guinness World Records Committee, he founded the title “The Fastest Pianist of the World” and became the first one to set up the record.
By setting up the record, he drew attention to the importance of marketing and communication in classical music, and also challenged the world’s pianists to a global game. The project has proved such a success that it attracts young pianists from all over the world from year to year, and they make a huge profit of the attention received due to the record in building their future careers.
The Fastest Pianist
of the World in 2009:
a Guinness World Record
Committed to making the piano popular also among today’s young people, HAVASI chose popular and playful ways to reach the audience: together with the Guinness World Records Committee, he founded the title “The Fastest Pianist of the World” and became the first one to set up the record.
By setting up the record, he drew attention to the importance of marketing and communication in classical music, and also challenged the world’s pianists to a global game. The project has proved such a success that it attracts young pianists from all over the world from year to year, and they make a huge profit of the attention received due to the record in building their future careers.
FIREWORKS SUITE
The fireworks on the 20th of August in 2013 were accompanied by a special suite, composed by HAVASI for the greatest national day for Hungarians, celebrated with day-long festivities followed by spectacular fireworks throughout the country.
August 20th commemorates the foundation of the Hungarian state, it’s like Hungary’s 4th of July. Also called as St. Stephen’s Day, remembering the first king of Hungary and founder of the Kingdom of Hungary.
The recurring main theme of the suite is the Moldavian Csángó folk song “Oh, Saint Stephen Be Praised”, addressed to Hungary’s state founder king as the column of the country. The piece also includes the Hungarian folks songs “Spring Wind” and “I’m parting, I’m parting”, as well as “To God Mars for Peace”, a poem by Janus Pannonius, set to music.
The Fireworks Suite tries to cover the whole spectrum of human existence. A wide array of moods and means ranges from ancestral to modern, from individual to collective, from intimate to grandiose, from meditation to the storm of sweeping passions, creating a musical world in the suite which is both uniform and diverse.
The live broadcast of the festive fireworks synchronised with the beat of this special piece of music attracted one of the highest numbers of TV viewers in 2013 in Hungary.
FIREWORKS SUITE
The fireworks on the 20th of August in 2013 were accompanied by a special suite, composed by HAVASI for the greatest national day for Hungarians, celebrated with day-long festivities followed by spectacular fireworks throughout the country.
August 20th commemorates the foundation of the Hungarian state, it’s like Hungary’s 4th of July. Also called as St. Stephen’s Day, remembering the first king of Hungary and founder of the Kingdom of Hungary.
The recurring main theme of the suite is the Moldavian Csángó folk song “Oh, Saint Stephen Be Praised”, addressed to Hungary’s state founder king as the column of the country. The piece also includes the Hungarian folks songs “Spring Wind” and “I’m parting, I’m parting”, as well as “To God Mars for Peace”, a poem by Janus Pannonius, set to music.
The Fireworks Suite tries to cover the whole spectrum of human existence. A wide array of moods and means ranges from ancestral to modern, from individual to collective, from intimate to grandiose, from meditation to the storm of sweeping passions, creating a musical world in the suite which is both uniform and diverse.
The live broadcast of the festive fireworks synchronised with the beat of this special piece of music attracted one of the highest numbers of TV viewers in 2013 in Hungary.
5 gold and 11 platinum records
500 concerts in 12 countries
600 million TV viewers
The #1 album on iTunes in Hungary
Few contemporary composers have a chance to present their music to masses of people. HAVASI’s personality, special musical language and extraordinary effect on the audience put him in a privileged situation where his works became known to hundreds of millions within a short time.
The Symphonic Arena Concert Show that rivals André Rieu or Cirque du Soleil’s productions filled the largest stadium in Budapest in 2013 with two shows in a single day with more than 20,000 visitors, standing ovations and a box office record, ranking #9 on Pollstar’s, #16 on Billboard’s international chart of successful concerts.
In 2014, HAVASI Symphonic played to over 46,000 people over a single weekend at the Papp Laszlo Sports Arena, with four sold out performances, propelling HAVASI Symphonic to the #2 slot on the Billboard Boxscore ranking for ticket sales worldwide a level of success exceeding even top rock and pop acts.
5 gold and 11 platinum records 500 concerts in 12 countries
600 million TV viewers
The #1 album on iTunes in Hungary
Few contemporary composers have a chance to present their music to masses of people. HAVASI’s personality, special musical language and extraordinary effect on the audience put him in a privileged situation where his works became known to hundreds of millions within a short time.
The Symphonic Arena Concert Show that rivals André Rieu or Cirque du Soleil’s productions filled the largest stadium in Budapest in 2013 with two shows in a single day with more than 20,000 visitors, standing ovations and a box office record, ranking #9 on Pollstar’s, #16 on Billboard’s international chart of successful concerts.
In 2014, HAVASI Symphonic played to over 46,000 people over a single weekend at the Papp Laszlo Sports Arena, with four sold out performances, propelling HAVASI Symphonic to the #2 slot on the Billboard Boxscore ranking for ticket sales worldwide a level of success exceeding even top rock and pop acts.
50 pianos,
100 musicians,
300 singers
A composer of classical music is rarely celebrated like a star. But HAVASI can always amaze his audience.
His idea to make a very special musical production was inspired by Canton, a metropolis of 13 million inhabitants. He composed a piece for 50 pianos and performed it together with 49 pianists on a huge stage set up in the city centre.
The scene will be an eternal memory for those who admired live the breathtaking image of the enormous TV tower, the illuminated skyscrapers and the 50 concert grand pianos.
50 pianos,
100 musicians,
300 singers
A composer of classical music is rarely celebrated like a star. But HAVASI can always amaze his audience.
His idea to make a very special musical production was inspired by Canton, a metropolis of 13 million inhabitants. He composed a piece for 50 pianos and performed it together with 49 pianists on a huge stage set up in the city centre.
The scene will be an eternal memory for those who admired live the breathtaking image of the enormous TV tower, the illuminated skyscrapers and the 50 concert grand pianos.
50 pianos,
100 musicians,
300 singers
A composer of classical music is rarely celebrated like a star. But HAVASI can always amaze his audience.
His idea to make a very special musical production was inspired by Canton, a metropolis of 13 million inhabitants. He composed a piece for 50 pianos and performed it together with 49 pianists on a huge stage set up in the city centre.
The scene will be an eternal memory for those who admired live the breathtaking image of the enormous TV tower, the illuminated skyscrapers and the 50 concert grand pianos.
In memory of my
dearest grandparents
HAVASI has a special relation to Asian culture. His grandfather lived and worked in China from 1957. He travelled the country as an engineer and gave talks in Chinese.
In 2011 HAVASI decided to launch a large-scale cultural project, not only to pay tribute to his grandparents, but also to help build a cultural bridge between Asia and Europe. He invited to cooperation the Yunnan Art Group, a world-famous company featuring authentic folk instruments and dancers, led by Tao Chun, director and choreographer of the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.
The project was covered by the entire Chinese media. CCTV’s news bulletin was viewed by almost 600 million people, and a summary of the event was aired by Phoenix TV and China Daily. This was the greatest-ever large-scale artistic cooperation between Chinese and European performers.
In memory of my
dearest grandparents
HAVASI has a special relation to Asian culture. His grandfather lived and worked in China from 1957. He travelled the country as an engineer and gave talks in Chinese.
In 2011 HAVASI decided to launch a large-scale cultural project, not only to pay tribute to his grandparents, but also to help build a cultural bridge between Asia and Europe. He invited to cooperation the Yunnan Art Group, a world-famous company featuring authentic folk instruments and dancers, led by Tao Chun, director and choreographer of the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.
The project was covered by the entire Chinese media. CCTV’s news bulletin was viewed by almost 600 million people, and a summary of the event was aired by Phoenix TV and China Daily. This was the greatest-ever large-scale artistic cooperation between Chinese and European performers.
Zoom the video out with two fingers to go full-screen.
Symphonic Arena Show
at the Hard Rock Guitar Hotel
After selling-out many stadiums throughout Europe, HAVASI brings the "World's Most Amazing Piano Show" to America. The long-awaited Symphonic Concert Show debuts at Hard Rock Live, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, on October 23, 2021.
The grand premiere takes place at the all-new, landmark music venue in Hollywood, Florida. Designed to resemble back-to-back guitars, this engineering masterpiece reaches 450 feet into the sky. Boasting the sun-filled and sunset-laden skies, the Guitar Hotel is truly an architectural marvel that redefines the South Florida skyline.
"The show is intended to provide different moods for the audience in a memorably intense experience. The Guitar Hotel, with its great sightlines and state-of-the-art acoustics, is the ideal venue for both our performers and for the audience."
- HAVASI
Symphonic Arena Show
at the Hard Rock Guitar Hotel
After selling-out many stadiums throughout Europe, HAVASI brings the "World's Most Amazing Piano Show" to America. The long-awaited Symphonic Concert Show debuts at Hard Rock Live, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, on October 24, 2020.
The grand premiere takes place at the all-new, landmark music venue in Hollywood, Florida. Designed to resemble back-to-back guitars, this engineering masterpiece reaches 450 feet into the sky. Boasting the sun-filled and sunset-laden skies, the Guitar Hotel is truly an architectural marvel that redefines the South Florida skyline.
"The show is intended to provide different moods for the audience in a memorably intense experience. The Guitar Hotel, with its great sightlines and state-of-the-art acoustics, is the ideal venue for both our performers and for the audience."
- HAVASI
Symphonic Arena Show at the Hard Rock Guitar Hotel
After selling-out many stadiums throughout Europe, HAVASI brings the "World's Most Amazing Piano Show" to America. The long-awaited Symphonic Concert Show debuts at Hard Rock Live, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, on October 24, 2021.
The grand premiere takes place at the all-new, landmark music venue in Hollywood, Florida. Designed to resemble back-to-back guitars, this engineering masterpiece reaches 450 feet into the sky. Boasting the sun-filled and sunset-laden skies, the Guitar Hotel is truly an architectural marvel that redefines the South Florida skyline.
"The show is intended to provide different moods for the audience in a memorably intense experience. The Guitar Hotel, with its great sightlines and state-of-the-art acoustics, is the ideal venue for both our performers and for the audience."
- HAVASI
Symphonic Arena Show
at the Hard Rock Guitar Hotel
After selling-out many stadiums throughout Europe, HAVASI brings the "World's Most Amazing Piano Show" to America. The long-awaited Symphonic Concert Show debuts at Hard Rock Live, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, on October 24, 2020.
The grand premiere takes place at the all-new, landmark music venue in Hollywood, Florida. Designed to resemble back-to-back guitars, this engineering masterpiece reaches 450 feet into the sky. Boasting the sun-filled and sunset-laden skies, the Guitar Hotel is truly an architectural marvel that redefines the South Florida skyline.
"The show is intended to provide different moods for the audience in a memorably intense experience. The Guitar Hotel, with its great sightlines and state-of-the-art acoustics, is the ideal venue for both our performers and for the audience."
- HAVASI
This momentous occasion marked an unprecedented milestone in the hall's distinguished 152-year history, as it was the first time a Hungarian composer had the privilege to present an entire concert featuring his original compositions within the hallowed walls of this iconic venue.
The symphonic performance took place on a truly unforgettable day, coinciding with the grand finale of King Charles III's coronation festivities. In honor of this joyous celebration, the Hungarian artists meticulously curated a unique program, blending their exceptional talents with the spirit of the momentous occasion.
This momentous occasion marked an unprecedented milestone in the hall's distinguished 152-year history, as it was the first time a Hungarian composer had the privilege to present an entire concert featuring his original compositions within the hallowed walls of this iconic venue.
The symphonic performance took place on a truly unforgettable day, coinciding with the grand finale of King Charles III's coronation festivities. In honor of this joyous celebration, the Hungarian artists meticulously curated a unique program, blending their exceptional talents with the spirit of the momentous occasion.
Budafok Dohnányi
Symphony Orchestra
Musical Director:
Gabor Hollerung
The Budafok Dohnányi Orchestra soon reached a high rank in the world of international music with greatly successful performances both in and outside Hungary in recent years.
It gives 40-50 concerts a year and runs 6 self-produced subscription series. In addition, it has appeared in a number of celebrations and renowned national festivals. One of its main objectives is to promote and widely popularise Hungarian musical culture. Its programmes often feature contemporary pieces but its repertoire also abounds in classical compositions. Holder of the Franz Liszt, Jerusalem and Artisjus Awards, Musical Director Gábor Hollerung is founder of the Budapest International Choir Competition and a series modelled on it, the Musica Mundi Festival.
He is a regular guest not only at European concerts but also in Israel, Taiwan and the USA. In 2002 he received the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary. The Budafok Dohnányi Orchestra is a permanent participant of the HAVASI Symphonic tour in Hungary and abroad.
Gigi Radics
(vocal)
The young singer was born to a family of musicians in the small Hungarian village of Endrefalva in August 1996. An innate talent, she was only six months old when she could hum back the tunes that her father sang and played for her.
She became an overnight celebrity in spring 2012, when she won hands down the Hungarian talent show Megastar.
Her gift is increasingly noted around the world: Quincy Jones invited her in person to sing at the Montreux Jazz Festival, presenting her on stage as a “big promise of music”. Experts predict she is facing a brilliant musical career.
In the song co-produced with HAVASI and the Harlem Gospel Choir, her performance impressed not only the audience but also the participants themselves.
Ling Peng
(erhu)
he most characteristic sounds of Chinese music are made by the erhu, a two stringed instrument of extraordinary eloquence.
Ling’s career in music began as a child prodigy at the age of seven, performing to thousands during the Cultural Revolution in China, and where her technical virtuosity won her a place at the prestigious Sichuan Conservatory of Music as their youngest ever student of the erhu.
After graduation, Ling was invited to stay on at Sichuan Conservatory of Music to teach and perform as a soloist where she stayed, consolidating her musicianship for eight years. Ling’s musical epiphany came during this time in her year at the Central Conservatory of Music Beijing, where, studying under Professor Lan Yu Song, she was able to transcend technical accomplishment and become an artist in the truest sense, using her passion and talent to communicate through her music.
Edina “Squirrel” Szirtes
(violin)
Hungary abounds in gifted musicians but only few of them can produce unique and characteristic sounds. Whether on the radio, at a world music festival or a jazz concert, the violin play of Edina Szirtes is immediately recognisable. She has already made compositions for several theatre pieces and for the Szeged Contemporary Ballet. She regularly tours Europe with her own orchestras. The secret of her success is her versatility, which is based on her training in classical music. Edina Szirtes is a permanent soloist of
HAVASI Symphonic.
Raman M. Sundaram
(vocal)
Raman M. Sundaram comes from a traditional Indian village where singing was an organic part of the everyday routines and rituals of families. At an early age, he studied with his sister the basics of “carnatic”, a key genre of classical Indian music with ancient Hindu roots. Later, he refined his skills at the famous Bharatis Vidya Bhavan, where he became an accomplished representative of India’s ancestral musical culture. European musical productions rarely present such a special and exotic singing voice with which Raman M. Sundaram is endowed. His style is a key contribution to the world music features of HAVASI Symphonic and symbolises the universal nature of the musical material.
Budafok Dohnányi
Symphony Orchestra
Musical Director:
Gabor Hollerung
The Budafok Dohnányi Orchestra soon reached a high rank in the world of international music with greatly successful performances both in and outside Hungary in recent years.
It gives 40-50 concerts a year and runs 6 self-produced subscription series. In addition, it has appeared in a number of celebrations and renowned national festivals. One of its main objectives is to promote and widely popularise Hungarian musical culture. Its programmes often feature contemporary pieces but its repertoire also abounds in classical compositions. Holder of the Franz Liszt, Jerusalem and Artisjus Awards, Musical Director Gábor Hollerung is founder of the Budapest International Choir Competition and a series modelled on it, the Musica Mundi Festival.
He is a regular guest not only at European concerts but also in Israel, Taiwan and the USA. In 2002 he received the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary. The Budafok Dohnányi Orchestra is a permanent participant of the HAVASI Symphonic tour in Hungary and abroad.
Gigi Radics
(vocal)
The young singer was born to a family of musicians in the small Hungarian village of Endrefalva in August 1996. An innate talent, she was only six months old when she could hum back the tunes that her father sang and played for her.
She became an overnight celebrity in spring 2012, when she won hands down the Hungarian talent show Megastar.
Her gift is increasingly noted around the world: Quincy Jones invited her in person to sing at the Montreux Jazz Festival, presenting her on stage as a “big promise of music”. Experts predict she is facing a brilliant musical career.
In the song co-produced with HAVASI and the Harlem Gospel Choir, her performance impressed not only the audience but also the participants themselves.
Ling Peng
(erhu)
he most characteristic sounds of Chinese music are made by the erhu, a two stringed instrument of extraordinary eloquence.
Ling’s career in music began as a child prodigy at the age of seven, performing to thousands during the Cultural Revolution in China, and where her technical virtuosity won her a place at the prestigious Sichuan Conservatory of Music as their youngest ever student of the erhu.
After graduation, Ling was invited to stay on at Sichuan Conservatory of Music to teach and perform as a soloist where she stayed, consolidating her musicianship for eight years. Ling’s musical epiphany came during this time in her year at the Central Conservatory of Music Beijing, where, studying under Professor Lan Yu Song, she was able to transcend technical accomplishment and become an artist in the truest sense, using her passion and talent to communicate through her music.
Edina “Squirrel” Szirtes
(violin)
Hungary abounds in gifted musicians but only few of them can produce unique and characteristic sounds. Whether on the radio, at a world music festival or a jazz concert, the violin play of Edina Szirtes is immediately recognisable. She has already made compositions for several theatre pieces and for the Szeged Contemporary Ballet. She regularly tours Europe with her own orchestras. The secret of her success is her versatility, which is based on her training in classical music. Edina Szirtes is a permanent soloist of
HAVASI Symphonic.
Raman M. Sundaram
(vocal)
Raman M. Sundaram comes from a traditional Indian village where singing was an organic part of the everyday routines and rituals of families. At an early age, he studied with his sister the basics of “carnatic”, a key genre of classical Indian music with ancient Hindu roots. Later, he refined his skills at the famous Bharatis Vidya Bhavan, where he became an accomplished representative of India’s ancestral musical culture. European musical productions rarely present such a special and exotic singing voice with which Raman M. Sundaram is endowed. His style is a key contribution to the world music features of HAVASI Symphonic and symbolises the universal nature of the musical material.
Budafok Dohnányi
Symphony Orchestra
Musical Director:
Gabor Hollerung
The Budafok Dohnányi Orchestra soon reached a high rank in the world of international music with greatly successful performances both in and outside Hungary in recent years.
It gives 40-50 concerts a year and runs 6 self-produced subscription series. In addition, it has appeared in a number of celebrations and renowned national festivals. One of its main objectives is to promote and widely popularise Hungarian musical culture. Its programmes often feature contemporary pieces but its repertoire also abounds in classical compositions. Holder of the Franz Liszt, Jerusalem and Artisjus Awards, Musical Director Gábor Hollerung is founder of the Budapest International Choir Competition and a series modelled on it, the Musica Mundi Festival.
He is a regular guest not only at European concerts but also in Israel, Taiwan and the USA. In 2002 he received the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary. The Budafok Dohnányi Orchestra is a permanent participant of the HAVASI Symphonic tour in Hungary and abroad.
Gigi Radics
(vocal)
The young singer was born to a family of musicians in the small Hungarian village of Endrefalva in August 1996. An innate talent, she was only six months old when she could hum back the tunes that her father sang and played for her.
She became an overnight celebrity in spring 2012, when she won hands down the Hungarian talent show Megastar.
Her gift is increasingly noted around the world: Quincy Jones invited her in person to sing at the Montreux Jazz Festival, presenting her on stage as a “big promise of music”. Experts predict she is facing a brilliant musical career.
In the song co-produced with HAVASI and the Harlem Gospel Choir, her performance impressed not only the audience but also the participants themselves.
Ling Peng
(erhu)
he most characteristic sounds of Chinese music are made by the erhu, a two stringed instrument of extraordinary eloquence.
Ling’s career in music began as a child prodigy at the age of seven, performing to thousands during the Cultural Revolution in China, and where her technical virtuosity won her a place at the prestigious Sichuan Conservatory of Music as their youngest ever student of the erhu.
After graduation, Ling was invited to stay on at Sichuan Conservatory of Music to teach and perform as a soloist where she stayed, consolidating her musicianship for eight years. Ling’s musical epiphany came during this time in her year at the Central Conservatory of Music Beijing, where, studying under Professor Lan Yu Song, she was able to transcend technical accomplishment and become an artist in the truest sense, using her passion and talent to communicate through her music.
Edina “Squirrel” Szirtes
(violin)
Hungary abounds in gifted musicians but only few of them can produce unique and characteristic sounds. Whether on the radio, at a world music festival or a jazz concert, the violin play of Edina Szirtes is immediately recognisable. She has already made compositions for several theatre pieces and for the Szeged Contemporary Ballet. She regularly tours Europe with her own orchestras. The secret of her success is her versatility, which is based on her training in classical music. Edina Szirtes is a permanent soloist of
HAVASI Symphonic.
Raman M. Sundaram
(vocal)
Raman M. Sundaram comes from a traditional Indian village where singing was an organic part of the everyday routines and rituals of families. At an early age, he studied with his sister the basics of “carnatic”, a key genre of classical Indian music with ancient Hindu roots. Later, he refined his skills at the famous Bharatis Vidya Bhavan, where he became an accomplished representative of India’s ancestral musical culture. European musical productions rarely present such a special and exotic singing voice with which Raman M. Sundaram is endowed. His style is a key contribution to the world music features of HAVASI Symphonic and symbolises the universal nature of the musical material.
Judit Andrejszki
(vocal)
An emblematic figure of Hungarian old music, since 1987 Judit has been the vocalist and harpsichordist of the old music orchestra Musica Profana, which has released a number of records, and with which she has toured the whole of Europe as an ambassador of Hungarian culture. In the Renaissance Year 2008, she went to India as a soloist and achieved an enormous success with her old music recitals. As an instrumental and vocal soloist, she has contributed to several records of Hungary’s most outstanding chamber music and vocal ensembles. Holder of the special prize of Hungary’s International Baroque Vocal Competition, one of her main aims is to present and popularise Hungarian old music.
Kyo-Kito Taiko
drum ensemble
The Japanese drum ensemble Kyo-Kito Taiko was established on 21 March 2000, the day of the vernal equinox. The Japanese name has a mystically deep and beautiful meaning which roughly translates as “return to purity” or “return to innocence”. The group is led by Takaku Keijiro and Dávid Laár. A musician of Japanese origin, Takaku Keijiro came to live in Hungary from a prefecture of Japan which preserves drum traditions and graduated as a percussionist from the Budapest Music Academy. Since 2001, the ensemble has given more than a hundred concerts at various musical festivals.
Balazs “Bumble Bee” Szokolay
(Transylvanian shepherd’s pipe, Hungarian bagpipe)
Balazs “Bumble Bee” Szokolay has an impressive gift to any wind instrument, whether made of metal, wood or even plastic. He has extensively travelled and toured the world, including several visits to Japan, the Netherlands, France, England, Italy, Germany and the neighbouring countries. At the invitation of the Scottish Royal Academy, he gave a presentation about the bagpipe in Scotland. A member of several bands, he uses a wide range of styles, from pure folk music through jazzy genres all the way to fully free music. His play, whatever the style, is always based on folk music and is recognisably characteristic of him.
Budapest Academic Choir Society
Since its establishment in 1957, the Budapest Academic Choir Society has successfully participated and ranked first in all renowned choir competitions in Europe (Spittal – Austria, Gorizia – Italy, Pescara – Italy, Tolosa – Spain, Neuchatel – Switzerland).
Its greatest success was the grand prize at the Debrecen Béla Bartók International Choir Competition and the first prize at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. At the latter event, it was awarded the title “Choir of the World”. The monumental and majestic style of the choir is a key element in the sound of HAVASI Symphonic.
Judit Andrejszki
(vocal)
An emblematic figure of Hungarian old music, since 1987 Judit has been the vocalist and harpsichordist of the old music orchestra Musica Profana, which has released a number of records, and with which she has toured the whole of Europe as an ambassador of Hungarian culture. In the Renaissance Year 2008, she went to India as a soloist and achieved an enormous success with her old music recitals. As an instrumental and vocal soloist, she has contributed to several records of Hungary’s most outstanding chamber music and vocal ensembles. Holder of the special prize of Hungary’s International Baroque Vocal Competition, one of her main aims is to present and popularise Hungarian old music.
Kyo-Kito Taiko
drum ensemble
The Japanese drum ensemble Kyo-Kito Taiko was established on 21 March 2000, the day of the vernal equinox. The Japanese name has a mystically deep and beautiful meaning which roughly translates as “return to purity” or “return to innocence”. The group is led by Takaku Keijiro and Dávid Laár. A musician of Japanese origin, Takaku Keijiro came to live in Hungary from a prefecture of Japan which preserves drum traditions and graduated as a percussionist from the Budapest Music Academy. Since 2001, the ensemble has given more than a hundred concerts at various musical festivals.
Balazs “Bumble Bee” Szokolay
(Transylvanian shepherd’s pipe, Hungarian bagpipe)
Balazs “Bumble Bee” Szokolay has an impressive gift to any wind instrument, whether made of metal, wood or even plastic. He has extensively travelled and toured the world, including several visits to Japan, the Netherlands, France, England, Italy, Germany and the neighbouring countries. At the invitation of the Scottish Royal Academy, he gave a presentation about the bagpipe in Scotland. A member of several bands, he uses a wide range of styles, from pure folk music through jazzy genres all the way to fully free music. His play, whatever the style, is always based on folk music and is recognisably characteristic of him.
Budapest Academic Choir Society
Since its establishment in 1957, the Budapest Academic Choir Society has successfully participated and ranked first in all renowned choir competitions in Europe (Spittal – Austria, Gorizia – Italy, Pescara – Italy, Tolosa – Spain, Neuchatel – Switzerland).
Its greatest success was the grand prize at the Debrecen Béla Bartók International Choir Competition and the first prize at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. At the latter event, it was awarded the title “Choir of the World”. The monumental and majestic style of the choir is a key element in the sound of HAVASI Symphonic.
Judit Andrejszki
(vocal)
An emblematic figure of Hungarian old music, since 1987 Judit has been the vocalist and harpsichordist of the old music orchestra Musica Profana, which has released a number of records, and with which she has toured the whole of Europe as an ambassador of Hungarian culture. In the Renaissance Year 2008, she went to India as a soloist and achieved an enormous success with her old music recitals. As an instrumental and vocal soloist, she has contributed to several records of Hungary’s most outstanding chamber music and vocal ensembles. Holder of the special prize of Hungary’s International Baroque Vocal Competition, one of her main aims is to present and popularise Hungarian old music.
Kyo-Kito Taiko
drum ensemble
The Japanese drum ensemble Kyo-Kito Taiko was established on 21 March 2000, the day of the vernal equinox. The Japanese name has a mystically deep and beautiful meaning which roughly translates as “return to purity” or “return to innocence”. The group is led by Takaku Keijiro and Dávid Laár. A musician of Japanese origin, Takaku Keijiro came to live in Hungary from a prefecture of Japan which preserves drum traditions and graduated as a percussionist from the Budapest Music Academy. Since 2001, the ensemble has given more than a hundred concerts at various musical festivals.
Balazs “Bumble Bee” Szokolay
(Transylvanian shepherd’s pipe, Hungarian bagpipe)
Balazs “Bumble Bee” Szokolay has an impressive gift to any wind instrument, whether made of metal, wood or even plastic. He has extensively travelled and toured the world, including several visits to Japan, the Netherlands, France, England, Italy, Germany and the neighbouring countries. At the invitation of the Scottish Royal Academy, he gave a presentation about the bagpipe in Scotland. A member of several bands, he uses a wide range of styles, from pure folk music through jazzy genres all the way to fully free music. His play, whatever the style, is always based on folk music and is recognisably characteristic of him.
Budapest Academic Choir Society
Since its establishment in 1957, the Budapest Academic Choir Society has successfully participated and ranked first in all renowned choir competitions in Europe (Spittal – Austria, Gorizia – Italy, Pescara – Italy, Tolosa – Spain, Neuchatel – Switzerland).
Its greatest success was the grand prize at the Debrecen Béla Bartók International Choir Competition and the first prize at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. At the latter event, it was awarded the title “Choir of the World”. The monumental and majestic style of the choir is a key element in the sound of HAVASI Symphonic.
Copyright 2020 Havasi Entertainment Ltd.
All rights reserved! www.HAVASI.EU
ISBN 978-963-08-7911-8
We acknowledge Imre Pákh, the Munkácsy Foundation and the Hungarian National Gallery for their cooperative assistance.
Artwork: Csaba Marjai I Photos: Simon Frey, Péter Gráf, László Erhard, Nikolett Szánkai, Gábor Klinszky, Zoltán Fogarasi, Attila Polgár, Tibor Mester, Erika Belléncs, Shutterstock Images
Contact: info@havasi.eu
Publisher: HAVASI Entertainment Ltd. I Responsible publisher: the CEO of the publisher.
Copyright 2020 Havasi Entertainment Ltd.
All rights reserved! www.HAVASI.EU
ISBN 978-963-08-7911-8
We acknowledge Imre Pákh, the Munkácsy Foundation and the Hungarian National Gallery for their cooperative assistance.
Artwork: Csaba Marjai I Photos: Simon Frey, Péter Gráf, László Erhard, Nikolett Szánkai, Gábor Klinszky, Zoltán Fogarasi, Attila Polgár, Tibor Mester, Erika Belléncs, Shutterstock Images
Contact: info@havasi.eu
Publisher: HAVASI Entertainment Ltd. I Responsible publisher: the CEO of the publisher.
Copyright 2019 Havasi Entertainment Ltd.
All rights reserved! www.HAVASI.EU
ISBN 978-963-08-7911-8
We acknowledge Imre Pákh, the Munkácsy Foundation and the Hungarian National Gallery for their cooperative assistance.
All Rights Reserved! Copyright 2019 Havasi Entertainment Ltd.
Artwork: Csaba Marjai I Photos: Simon Frey, Péter Gráf, László Erhard, Nikolett Szánkai, Gábor Klinszky, Zoltán Fogarasi, Attila Polgár, Tibor Mester, Erika Belléncs, Shutterstock Images
Contact: info@havasi.eu
Publisher: HAVASI Entertainment Ltd. I Responsible publisher: the CEO of the publisher.
Copyright 2020 Havasi Entertainment Ltd.
All rights reserved! www.HAVASI.EU
ISBN 978-963-08-7911-8
We acknowledge Imre Pákh, the Munkácsy Foundation and the Hungarian National Gallery for their cooperative assistance.
Artwork: Csaba Marjai I Photos: Simon Frey, Péter Gráf, László Erhard, Nikolett Szánkai, Gábor Klinszky, Zoltán Fogarasi, Attila Polgár, Tibor Mester, Erika Belléncs, Shutterstock Images
Contact: info@havasi.eu
Publisher: HAVASI Entertainment Ltd. I Responsible publisher: the CEO of the publisher.