On the 555^th anniversary of the 1456 Battle of Belgrade - Nándorfehérvár

DANUBE DAY CELEBRATION CONCERT

23 July, Saturday, 2011
 in the Budapest Downtown Main Parish Church (Belvárosi Főplébániatemplom)

The Downtown Main Parish Church is the oldest church in Budapest. It is located at the Március 15 Square on the Pest side of the Danube near Elizabeth Bridge, next to the ruins of a Roman riverside fortress. It was in this church in 1541 that the Sultan Suleyman declared the city of Pest a part of the Turkish Empire. The church was later used as a Turkish Mosque. The church, which has been restored to provide its original function, displays today architectural features of the Roman, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque times. A unique treasure of the church today is an original Muslim mihrab preserved with a Turkish inscription inside.

The 200^th birth anniversary of Franz Liszt

1811 October 22, Doborján (today Raiding) Sopron county, district Felsőpulyai

In the first couple of years during his stay in what was then Pest, Franz Liszt lived in the parish home of the downtown Main Parish Church as guest of Mihaly Schwender, the church's abbot. Social life at that time was thriving during his stay, with afternoon concerts and receptions often taking place. Maestro Liszt was active himself, he conducted pieces in the Parish Church on the largest number of occassions during his stay in Pest. He presented his eminent piece, the Missa Choralis for the first time in Hungary in this church, where the second, and best, performance of his other monumental piece, the Esztergom Mass - Missa Solemnis, took place. The premiere of his other work, the Via Crucis which he offered to choir leader of the church, also took place here in 1929. The Main Parish Church's senior music managers faithfully nurture Franz Liszt's spiritual legacy, which it reflects well that his works for organ, as well as his oratorios are regulary played during services and at concerts in the church.

Program on Saturday, 23 July

In the Main Paris Church on Március 15 Square

6:00 pm

HOLY MASS

7:30 pm

Works by J.S. Bach and Franz Liszt

Performed by
Andras Virag Liszt prize winning on organ, and
Zsuzsanna Gion mezzo soprano

Programme
"Mary’s praise " gregorian invocation
Johann Sebastian BACH:
Toccata in C minor, Adagio and Fugue BWV 564
"Buss und Reu ..." – recitativo and aria from the St. Matthew Passion
Ferenc LISZT: Preludium
Luigi LUZZI: Ave Maria
Ferenc LISZT:
Offertorium
Gebet
Hosannah
Ave maris stella
Fantasy and Fugue on the Theme B-A-C-H
 

 THE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND ALL RIGHTS ARE RESERVED