Voices of Hungary at Choate Rosemary Hall

Hungary’s rich musical heritage takes center stage at Voices of Hungary on Sunday, March 15 from 2 pm to 3:30 pm at Choate Rosemary Hall, 333 Christian Street, Wallingford, CT 06492. This 90-minute concert celebrates the passion, rhythm, and virtuosity of Hungary’s most influential composers and the enduring traditions that shaped their music.

The program opens with Ferenc Erkel’s Himnusz, Hungary’s national anthem, setting a proud and ceremonial tone. Folk-inspired works follow, including Béla Bartók’s Transylvanian Dances, Johannes Brahms’ Hungarian Dances, and Franz Lehár’s Gold and Silver Waltz, each reflecting the distinctive character and energy of Central European musical life. Pianist Tóth Péter performs Ernő von Dohnányi’s Variations on a Nursery Tune, a playful and technically dazzling showcase blending wit and lyricism.

The first half also highlights emerging talent with Mitchell Family String Concerto Competition First Prize Winner Kazuho Yasuno, violoncello, performing Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33. Clarinetist Sallai Noémi brings expressive flair to Carl Maria von Weber’s Andante e Rondo Ungarese, a spirited work infused with Hungarian style.

In the second half, violinist Nyári Bernadett presents a Hungarian Violin Medley featuring operetta favorites and dance melodies by Kálmán Imre, including selections from Csárdáskirálynő. The concert concludes with Suha B. József’s Tüzes Tánc (Fiery Dance) and Franz Liszt’s Rákóczi March, an exhilarating and patriotic finale.

Following the concert, attendees may continue the celebration with a post-concert dinner at the Hungarian Community Club, featuring a traditional Hungarian meal and a brief community celebration honoring Hungary’s National Day, March 15, 1848. Dinner tickets are sold separately and are limited.

Tickets are $55 for adults, $40 for seniors, and $20 for students with valid ID. Children under 18 are admitted free when accompanied by a paid adult. Ticket sales end March 15 at 1:30 pm. All ticket sales are final; tickets may be transferred to another person if needed.