László Borbély A Zeneakadémia saját szervezésű programja

László Borbély, who in terms of repertoire can be considered one of the most open-minded of all young pianists, has set variations written at different periods in history alongside each other. This genre was always a benchmark of compositional creative ability and imagination since a variation series by a master attains artistic heights by working up a simple theme. Haydn’s melancholic masterpiece is frequently performed, and the series of Mendelssohn that is both spectacularly virtuosic and an ideal of beauty is a true audience favourite. These are in direct counterpoint to Webern’s opus written in strict 12-tone, which only a select band of pianists is prepared to undertake due to its enormous complexity. The situation is the same (albeit for different reasons) with the near 30-minute ‘piano symphony’ of Brahms, the performance of which assumes considerable stamina and artistic bravura for the gradual denouement in a carefully timed way of the grandiose structure. Inserted within the programme is a curiosity: the exotic, flamboyant Chopin variations by Catalan composer Federico Mompou who died 30 years ago.