The world famous Rajkó Orchestra offers a unique musical experience and is comprised of highly skilled Gypsy musicians who have been rigorously trained at its legendary music school in Budapest, Hungary. The school, together with the orchestra was established in 1952 and it specifically recruited talented young persons with Roma backgrounds and trained them in the traditions of Central European Gypsy style music. However, the students were also offered a classical musical training, shaping them to be exceptional performers. "Rajkó" means "young Roma" and, in fact, it is an appropriate name for the students at the school. The exceptional artistic standards of the “Rajkós” are unique in that they preserve a musical tradition, which is rooted in improvisation, an essential ingredient to their virtuosity.

The Rajkó Orchestra’s 2011 Tour consists of eight exceptional musicians, with a line-up consistent with the classical form of a Gypsy orchestra: Two lead violinists, called the "Primás", second viloin, vilola, cimbalom, clarinet, cello and double bass. These instruments assure the authentic sound of the much loved and admired "Gypsy music" of the 19^th and 20^th Centuries.  The incredible range of their repertoire covers many genres from classical to folk music, and from operettas to gypsy music. As an added benefit, this year marks the 200^th anniversary of birth of Franz Liszt, who loved Gypsy music and based several of his famous compositions on this style. In the performance of the Rajkó Orchestra we may hear the very same music Liszt adored.

The great achievements of the Rajkó Orchestra include highly successful tours throughout Europe, North and South America, Australia, and the Far East where they have repeatedly excited and thrilled audiences. Recently they were invited twice to perfrom in the Vatican for the Pope and at the European Congress of the Pastoral Care for Gypsies. They have frequently appeared on national and international television and radio, and also have a number of critically acclaimed recordings to their names.

Program

PART I – In Memory of F. Liszt

1.Unknown composer: Lightning Csárdás (Villámcsárdás)
The concert opens with a virtuoso composition offering the typical flavor of Hungarian Romantic Gypsy music.

2.J. Brahms (1833-1897): Hungarian Dance No. 5
Brahms greatly respected and appreciated by the work of Liszt. They had met several times and one can just imagine how they discussed their mutual admiration for Hungarian Gypsy music. Brahms completed his Hungarian dances in 1869. Dance No. 5 uses a popular csárdás theme which the composer thought to be an original folksong, but it turned out to be written by a Hungarian composer, Béla Kelér.

3.Ede Reményi(1828-1898): Fly My Swallow (Repülj, Fecském)
Reményi was one of the greatest violinists of the 19th Century and his accompanist was Brahms, before Brahms became famous. Reményi had a great influence on Brahms’ music and he introduced Brahms to his good friend Liszt. Reményi wrote this piece to be able to show off his virtuosity and pay to homage to his homeland. He died in New York City.

4.Folk Music Sources of Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsodies
Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsodies can be traced back to Hungarian folk and written songs popular during his stay in Budapest. The orchestra will play a bouquet of folksongs which may also be recognizable in Liszt compositions.

5.F. Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 14
Liszt composed 19 Hungarian Rhapsodies – the first 15 were published in 1853. All the pieces were based on Hungarian folk themes. This Rhapsody is also known as “Hungarian Fantasia” – the verbunkos and the csárdás themes are well known to every classical music lover.

6.Ivó Csámpai: In Memoriam of Bihari
Csámpai, a well-known arranger and composer, orchestrated this composition which recalls the characteristic “verbunk” style made famous by one of the best known Gypsy violinists, János Bihari (1764-1827). Bihari was influential in developing the new style of Hungarian music: verbunk and csárdás and Liszt used some of his melodies, but even other composers like Beethoven and Sarasante included music in their compositions from this charismatic “prímás”.

7.F. Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
This Rhapsody will likely be the most recognizable classical masterpiece fro concertgoers as “typical” Hungarian music. Liszt was a true European artist, who lived for many years outside Hungary, but he never forgot his origins and dedicated energy and money to assist Hungary and its people and was influential in establishing musical training in Budapest.

PART II – Our Tradition

In the tradition of true Gypsy orchestras the RAJKÓ will alter the program every night to suit the specific concert audience and the musicians own creative mood in true RAJKÓ tradition! This is the essence of Roma music in Hungary or anywhere else in the world: spontaneity, improvisation and drawing a smile or a tear from the listeners. Hundreds of years of tradition in Hungary by Gypsy musicians formed and shaped the Hungarian spirit and provided great support to the Nation in times of trouble and triumph. Hungarian Gypsy Music, as we hear it at this concert, provided one of the foundations for Hungarian culture.

Part II of the program includes folk music or popular music selections loved and enjoyed by Hungarians across the globe, in addition, selections from romantic and classical composers – the roster RAJKÓ may chose from include Monti, Hubay, Dinicu, Khachaturian, Offenbach, Suppé, Strauss family from Vienna or Rossini – just to name a few. Sit back and enjoy some of the world’s most seasoned musical entertainers – who regularly play for tourists and local music lovers in Hungary. Today they will play for you!

Oh, and don’t forget to enjoy the wonderful instrumentation and instrument unique to Hungarian music. The cimbalom, for example, which completely mesmerized composers – not only Liszt and other composers of his time, but even 20th Century artists like Richard Strauss. Although this instrument may is used in many countries, this form of the instrument was the invention of the Hungarian instrument maker, József Schunda in 1874 in Budapest. It was he, who made it possible to use it as a concert instrument by inventing a pedal for the strings. The precise cimbalom we hear today was made by another famous maker, Sándor Bohák, in Hungary. The instrument is close to being hundred years old, but it was completely rebuilt and it is on its first tour in the USA. Sándor Kuti, the cimbalom player, is one of the best cimbalom players in the world today.

In the true tradition of Gypsy musicians, the audience is encouraged to suggest songs or specific concert pieces during intermission. The suggestions should be offered in writing and given to the person at the merchandizing desk. If possible, the orchestra will play the requested selections.

Finally, remember that RAJKÓ is part of a functioning music school in Budapest, which trains hundreds of pupils to carry on Hungarian cultural traditions. As with any art school today, the financial situation is challenging. Your support, financial or otherwise, is welcome.

The performers:

Lőrinc Danyi – violin
Gyula Fehér – violin
Mata Tamás – violin
József Toldi – violin
Antal Suki – clarinet
Benedek Suki – vilola
Gábor Matyi – bass
Special guest artist: Sándor Kuti – cimbalom