The fireworks in Budapest and at Lake Balaton will be accompanied by a special musical suite, composed for the occasion by pianist-composer Balázs Havasi.

The contributing artists of the musical accompaniment of the 2013 fireworks include the Dohnányi Symphonic Orchestra and the Budapest Academic Choir Society, as well as emblematic artists of the Hungarian musical scenery, such as Balázs “Bumblebee” Szokolay, Edina “Squirrel” Szirtes, Judit Andrejszki, and the students of the Faculty of Folk Music at the Hungarian Music Academy. The movements were arranged by Péter Pejtsik.

A recurring theme of the Fireworks suite is a folk song of the Csángó people of Moldova, titled “Oh, praise be to Saint Stephen”, invoking Hungary’s state founder king as the country’s pillar but the movements also include a novel arrangement of the folks songs “Tavaszi szél” and “Elmegyek, elmegyek”.

The symphonic arrangement of the prayer in verse “A hymn to Mars, for peace” by humanist Janus Pannonius, bishop of Pécs with European erudition, is always topical. Mihály Munkácsy, one of the most renowned painters of Hungarian arts, is commemorated in the movement titled The Golden Brush, in the finale of the suite, depicting the artist in a continued state of inspiration and ardor.

In his Fireworks-suite, composer Balázs Havasi pays tribute to the heritage of classical music, the traditions of Hungarian folk music, the diversity of world music and the pure power of rock music at a time, aiming to travel across the entire spectrum of human existence. Ambients and instruments vary from ancient to modern, intimate to grandiose, meditation to a torment of passions, creating a diverse, yet unified musical scene in the suite.

Source: augusztus20.kormany.hu