Concerto Budapest Honors 1956 Revolution with Heroic Concert at Müpa

Budapest Széna Square (II. district) in 1956

In honor of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and War of Independence, Concerto Budapest will present a special concert on October 24 at the Palace of Arts (Müpa), conducted by András Keller. The program will feature works by Franz Liszt, Ernő Dohnányi, and Beethoven, with renowned pianist Dénes Várjon as guest soloist.

The evening will open with Franz Liszt’s symphonic poem Hungaria, described by the orchestra as one of the most noble musical expressions of Hungarian patriotism, national identity, and spiritual strength. First performed in 1856, the work is a tribute to heroic struggle and unwavering commitment to the homeland—capturing the emotional tension between triumph and sacrifice. As one of the first symphonic poems in a distinctly Hungarian style, Hungaria reflects the spirit of freedom not through mourning, but through uplifting faith in the future.

The program continues with Ernő Dohnányi’s Variations on a Nursery Song, a witty and beloved gem of Hungarian music history. Composed in 1914, the piece blends warmth, masterful craftsmanship, and effortless virtuosity. Its solo piano part will be performed by Dénes Várjon, whose artistry is noted for its deep sensitivity to musical detail and structural balance.

The concert will conclude with Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, the “Eroica”, regarded as one of the most groundbreaking and influential works in the history of Western classical music. Originally dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte, Beethoven famously withdrew the dedication upon learning that Napoleon had declared himself emperor. The symphony thus became a universal tribute to human dignity and the fight for freedom.

According to the concert announcement, the symphony’s four movements trace the arc of a hero’s journey: the driving force of heroic will in the first movement, the sorrow of loss in the funeral march, the rebirth of life in the scherzo, and a final glorification through its closing variations.

Marks of devastation in Budapest’s 8th district. Photo: fortepan.hu / Kieselbach Tamás

“The Eroica is a musical embodiment of human resilience, creative spirit, and the yearning for liberty—all values upheld by the heroes of 1956,” the orchestra emphasized.

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