The Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music was among the distinguished international institutions invited to this year’s Osaka World Expo. Marking its 150th anniversary, the Hungarian conservatory presented a concert on July 11 at the Shining Hat Performing Arts Center, a major venue with seating for 1,900 guests. The performance was led by Dr Gabor Farkas, pianist and Rector of the Liszt Academy, alongside conductor Kanai Toshifumi, soprano Katoh Haruka, concertmaster Aoki Kanon, and a string orchestra comprised of current and former students of the Academy from Hungary and Japan.
The evening’s program opened with Bartok’s Romanian Folk Dances, arranged for string orchestra by Arthur Willner. This was followed by Kodaly’s Hungarian Folk Music for Voice and Piano, featuring the well-known piece A csitari hegyek alatt…. The concert continued with Weiner’s Divertimento No. 1 and Verdi’s Brindisi from his collection Sei Romanze, and concluded with a string orchestra arrangement of Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor.
The selection, ranging from Viennese classics and romantic works to 20th-century Hungarian compositions, showcased the diverse traditions of European concert music and highlighted Hungary’s rich cultural heritage. This same program was performed a month earlier in Budapest at the Chamber Hall of the Old Liszt Academy, offering Hungarian audiences a preview of the international celebration.
The event underscored the Academy’s mission to build cultural bridges through music. Bringing together Hungarian and Japanese students and graduates, the concert demonstrated how music’s universal language transcends borders, fostering mutual appreciation and understanding across cultures.
As part of its 150th anniversary celebrations, the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music continues to emphasize international collaborations and performances that honor its long-standing traditions while looking to the future.
Source: The Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music
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