FESTIVAL CONCERTS
 ON THE DANUBE-BANK

on 22^nd-, 23^rd and 24^th July, 2004
 in Budapest Főplébánia Church.

The 'Főplébánia Church' is Budapest's oldest church. It is located on the Pest side of the Danube River near the Elizabeth Bridge at the Március 15 Square next to the ruins of a Roman age stone fortress (contra-fort) right across from the international Ship Station. In 1541 Suleiman, the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire announced in this church that Pest, the city, became part of the Turkish Empire. The church was soon transformed into a Turkish mosque. The later restored church-building carries today architectural characteristics from the Roman, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque times. A special reminiscence from the Turkish times can be found inside the church: an original Muslim prayer booth with a Turkish inscription.

The Battle in Nándorfehérvár of 12-22^nd July 1456, won by the allied Christian forces, is a particular historical memory not only for the countries alongside the Danube but also for their neighboring states. For six centuries this event has been commemorated through the ringing of bells at noon. On 6th August l457 Pope Calixtus III. had declared this victory a Holy Memory. Even in places of worship beyond Europe special tribute has been paid to one of the heroes of the victory, Saint John di Capistrano The Danube Celebration aims to present our historical religious, cultural values whilst drawing attention to the importance of environmental protection today.

Thursday, 22^nd July

from 7 p.m.
Festive toast in the church-garden

from 8 p.m.
"AVE MARIA"

performed by Liszt-prize-winners
Katalin Pitti  and András Virágh 

Programs:

Franz Schubert: Ave Maria
Choreae Hungaricae - details of the Lőcse Tabulatura /17. c./
Pál Eszterházy: details from "Harmonia Caelestis"
Ó Szent István dicsértessél chango songs
Gábor Lisznyai-Szabó: St. Stephan Fantasy
César Franck: Panis Angelicus, César Franck: Sortie in G-major
Ferenc Liszt: 23. Psalm,  István Koloss: Preludium and fugue in F
Charles Gounod: Ave Maria, Giuseppe Verdi: Ave Maria
Psalm Ómagyar Mária-siralom
Ferenc Liszt: Variations  "Weinen, Klagen …" 

Friday, 23^rd July, from 8 p.m.

J. S. BACH: ORGAN COMPOSITIONS
 and
G. F. HÄNDEL: WATER-MUSIC

performed by
the Budapest Brass Quintet and András Virágh Liszt-prize-winner

Programs:

Bach: Preludium in C major, choral and fugue 545.
 Albinoni: Adagio
Bach: "In dir ist Freude" - pre-choral B.W.V. 615.
Bach: toccata in D minor, air and fugue B.W.V. 565.
Händel: Water Music

Saturday, 24^th July, from 8 p.m.

Zoltán Kodály

MISSA BREVIS

Concert of choirs: Choir of Budapest, conductor András Tóth and the Choir Capistran, conductor András Virágh 
singing: Júlia Bányai - sopran, Szilvia Magyar - contralto, János Prevoz - tenor, Máté Szécsi - bass
Adrián László Nagy and András Virágh - organ,
conducted: by András Virágh, Liszt-prize-winner

Programs:

Prayer, Evening Song, Jesus and the dealers
Missa Brevis

Announcer: LÁSZLÓ LUKIN

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Tickets are available:
Ticket Express (06-30-30-30-99), Central Ticket Office (267-1267) , Rózsavölgyi Ticket Office (318-3500), Publika (322-2010), MATÁV (302-3841), Cultur Comfort (322-00-00), Academy of Music (342-0179) 
and in other known ticket offices

 WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE PROGRAMME

We are supported by IVF International Visegrad Fund