On the Spot - The Cello A Zeneakadémia saját szervezésű programja

Cello studies at the Liszt Academy were launched in 1886 and headed by David Popper, the famous Bohemian cellist and composer, all the way up to his death in 1913. Popper was first cellist at the Vienna
Opera, although he frequently toured as a chamber musician and soloist. He took up his post at the Budapest Liszt Academy in the same year as Jenő Hubay. In 1898 the then director of the Liszt Academy, Ödön Mihalovich, petitioned for an award for Popper with these words: “David Popper has done much to invigorate the music relations of the capital and we can be pleased that such a first-rate artist has found a second home with us, that he has acclimatized in Hungary and done honour to our music academy.” What Liszt did for piano teaching at the Liszt Academy, so Popper achieved in cello studies: today’s professors are the spiritual descendants of Popper, and they studied from the students of his students. The 131-year-old cello department is showcased in this recital in the Live series initiated by the Liszt Academy Concert Centre. Both students and teachers take to the stage of the Sir Georg Solti Chamber Hall. The concert programme selects fine pieces from three centuries of the cello repertoire, naturally including several important works by Popper, including his Requiem, originally written for three cellos and orchestra but on this occasion performed in a six-cello version. It is the same work that was performed by his students at the burial service of Popper.