Hungary’s famous Kodály Quartet to perform in November

     Hungary's world-renowned Kodály Quartet will return to Hong Kong for a long-overdue appearance in November.
 
     Comprising Attila Falvay (first violin), Ferenc Bangó (second violin), János Fejérvári (viola) and György Éder (cello), the quartet will play Haydn's "String Quartet in G, Op. 77", Mozart's "String Quartet No. 17 in B-flat, K. 458, 'The Hunt'" and Beethoven's "String Quartet in E minor, Op. 59, No. 2, 'Razumovsky'".
 
     The Kodály Quartet has been at the pinnacle of musical excellence for over five decades. The founding of the quartet was largely associated with the Franz Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest. In 1966, four students of the academy formed the Sebastyén Quartet, which was awarded the jury's special diploma at the 1966 Geneva International Quartet Competition, and won the first prize at the 1968 Leó Weiner Quartet Competition in Budapest. Their achievements were soon recognised by the Hungarian Ministry of Culture and Education, who granted them approval to use the name of the late national composer Zoltán Kodály for the quartet's name in 1972. The quartet is committed to presenting the rich Hungarian musical tradition and has long been regarded as the musical ambassador of Hungarian string quartet culture.
 
     "Encore Series: Kodály Quartet" is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. It will be held at 8pm on November 26 (Monday) at the Concert Hall of Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $160, $220, $280 and $340 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_473.html.
 
     A pre-concert talk entitled "Murmur of the Strings in Vienna" (to be conducted in Cantonese) will be held at 6.45pm at the North Committee Room, 7/F, High Block, Hong Kong City Hall. The speaker will be Chow Fan Fu. Admission is free with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.