These two musical icons and close friends, Xaver, now 60, and Rhoda, 87, will share the stage for the last time in the summer of 2025, bidding an emotional farewell to each other in a breathtaking and unforgettable concert, in the spirit of Bach and his music. For the last time, the legendary, massive pipe organ of the Dohány Street Synagogue and the magical sounds of the Hammond organ will be played together by these two geniuses.

This is truly a landmark event in the history of music, and there could hardly be a more fitting venue than the Dohány Street Synagogue—one of the most beautiful and imposing temples in Hungary and the largest synagogue in Europe, with its stunning beauty and exotic atmosphere.

Varnus Xaver, hailed by Mark Wigmore, music critic for Canada's New Classical FM, as “one of the most influential organists of the 21st century,” has performed on nearly all of the world’s major organs. His career has taken him to iconic venues such as Bach’s St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, the Washington and Canterbury Cathedrals, and the three major churches in Paris: Notre-Dame, St-Sulpice, and St-Eustache.

He has also played the world's second-largest instrument, the famous Wanamaker organ in Philadelphia. In addition to his concert career, Xaver has worked as a writer and media personality to popularize organ music. He has performed more than 3,000 times, with over six million attendees at his concerts. He has released 53 albums, 60 concert films, and 5 books.

His album From Ravel to Vangelis, released by SONY, earned quadruple platinum status and became the best-selling organ album of all time. The highlight of his 40 million-view YouTube channel is his 2013 Bach concert at the Berlin Cathedral, which officially became the most-watched organ concert film of all time, with over 17 million views. He has received Hungary's two highest state honors, the Officer's Cross and the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary.

On his 58th birthday, Arthur Joseph LeBlanc, Governor-General of Canada, on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II, presented him with an award commemorating the monarch's 70th coronation anniversary.

A few years ago, Varnus Xaver purchased a 19th-century Victorian church on the Canadian Atlantic coast, which he transformed into a concert hall under the name Varnus Hall and had one of Canada’s finest-sounding concert organs built.

Three years later, he bought an abandoned 19th-century Lutheran church in Mezőlak, Hungary, which he opened as a concert hall in memory of his late brother, founding the Bach and Shakespeare Festival there. Robert Everett-Green, a renowned critic for Canada’s national newspaper The Globe and Mail, wrote: “Varnus is an astonishing talent, as thrilling and original in every detail as Glenn Gould once was.”

Rhoda Scott, the world-renowned queen of the Hammond organ, draws musical inspiration from gospel, jazz, and classical music. Her deep admiration for Hungarian music is rooted in the Kodály method and Béla Bartók’s folk song collections. These studies helped her embrace the unique, folk-rooted melodies of Hungarian music, making her an integral part of both the American and international music worlds.

Over the decades, Scott became known as the “Barefoot Countess,” a name not only reflecting her distinctive style but also her habit of always playing the Hammond organ barefoot, creating a more intimate connection with the instrument. Her career has been characterized by continuous experimentation and the search for new artistic challenges.

A master of free improvisation, she fuses the deep emotional content of spirituals with the freedom and dynamism of jazz, making her one of the most authentic representatives of gospel music.

Her career began in a Harlem club, where she first showcased her exceptional talent, immediately catching the attention of jazz greats. In 1962, she founded her own trio and later graduated from the Manhattan School of Music with a degree in music theory.

Soon after, legendary jazz musician Count Basie noticed Scott's talent and invited her to perform at his Harlem club, where she shared the stage with icons such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Ray Charles. This firmly established her place in jazz history, and she soon became recognized as one of the greatest Hammond organ artists.

Rhoda Scott's musical vision and career were significantly influenced by Nadia Boulanger, the legendary Parisian music pedagogue who also mentored famous musicians like Quincy Jones, Astor Piazzolla, and Michel Legrand. With her exceptional talent and refined musical sensibility, Scott now performs in the world’s largest concert halls and continues to inspire generations.

Over the decades, her career has enjoyed consistent success, and she remains a leading figure in the international music scene. Her unique sound and virtuosity continue to captivate audiences.

Tickets:
eventim.hu/en

Visitors are required to observe religious customs during the concert. Men must enter and remain inside the building with their heads covered, and women must have their shoulders covered.