The Royal Northern College of Music Chamber Festival brings three days of Hungarian music to Manchester next month.

BudaFest: The Music of Hungary and the Spirit of the Csárdás takes place at the RNCM from Friday 10 until Sunday 12 March, showcasing the depth and variety of Hungarian chamber music, taking in over 200 years of the country’s musical history.

The festival features masterclasses and concerts with works by Ligeti, Kodály, and Bartók, as well as Hungary-inspired works by Brahms, Liszt and Haydn presented by clarinettist Gabor Varga, violinist Gábor Takács-Nagy, and the Talich and Keller Quartets.

Speaking about the Festival, Artistic Director Jeremy Young said: ‘The RNCM Chamber Music Festival has grown to become one of the most substantial in the UK. This year we explore not only the music of Hungary, but the influence of Hungarian folk music. As well as being able to hear the masterworks of Bartók and Kodály performed by leading soloists and ensembles, our student composers have also written Hungarian-inspired pieces to showcase this influence in the 21st century.’

The Festival explores the variety of music in Hungary, with a large amount of 20th century works which paint a picture of its coloured political history following the 1919 revolution. It also celebrates the educational impact of the work of Kodály, with the 50th anniversary of his death this year. High profile ensembles, alumni, and RNCM students appear alongside each other for a Festival that is sure to embrace the spirit of the csárdás.

So what’s on?

The festival, which takes place 10-12 March 2017 features 16 concerts as well as film showings, workshops, masterclasses and talks.  Highlights include:

Friday 10 March, 7.30pm RNCM Concert Hall
Talich Quartet with Tim Horton
Zoltán Kodály Duo for violin and cello Op 7
Béla Bartók String Quartet No 6
Ernö Dohnányi Piano Quintet No 2 in E flat minor Op 26

Friday 10 March, 10.00pm RNCM Brodsky
Late Night Darmstadt
New compositions, orangements and unlikely collaborations in a student-led Hungarian-themed event

Saturday 11 March, 4.30pm RNCM Concert Hall
Contrasts
Zoltán Kodály String Quartet No 2 Op 10
Jingyu Chen New work for wind quintet
György Kurtág Officium breve in memoriam Endre Szervánszky Op 28
Endre Szervánszky String Quartet No 1
Béla Bartók Contrasts

Saturday 11 March, 7.30pm RNCM Concert Hall
Gábor Takács-Nagy, Kathryn Stott, Jeremy Young, Zelkova Quartet, Aurea Quartet and Aurora Percussion Duo
Joseph Haydn String Quartet in D major Op 20 No 4 Hob III:34
Béla Bartók Sonata for two pianos and percussion
Béla Bartók Music for Strings, Percussion and Celeste

Sunday 12 March, 12pm RNCM Concert Hall
RNCM Chamber Ensembled of the Year 2016 Louko Piano Trio with Susie Meszaros (viola)
Sándor Veress Tre quadri for violin, cello and piano
Johannes Brahms Piano Quartet No 1 in G minor Op 25

Sunday 12 March, 2.30pm Carole Nash Recital Room
Chamber Music Masterclass with Gabor Varga
One of the leading clarinettists of his generation, Gabor Varga leads a masterclass on music from his homeland with RNCM ensembles.

Sunday 12 March, 7.30pm RNCM Concert Hall
Keller Quartet
Béla Bartók String Quartet No 2
Béla Bartók String Quartet No 3
Béla Bartók String Quartet No 5

Pricing Information:
Full Festival Ticket: £130
Student/Under 18s Festival Ticket: £50
Friday Ticket: £44
Saturday Ticket: £46
Sunday Ticket: £46

Full details of the RNCM 2017 Chamber Musical Festival are available at the Royal Northern College of Music website