Hungarian Rhapsodies

About the Soloist: Jenő Lisztes Born in Hungary, Jenő Lisztes is an extraordinary cimbalom virtuoso whose musical journey began at the age of four, following a family tradition passed down from his father and grandfather. He studied at the prestigious Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest, graduating as a cimbalom player and teacher.

Jenő's remarkable career has taken him around the world, performing with internationally renowned symphony orchestras, on the stages of iconic concert halls such as Carnegie Hall, the Wiener Musikverein, and the Royal Albert Hall, where he was a soloist at the 2018 BBC Proms. His mastery of the cimbalom has also been featured on Hans Zimmer’s "Sherlock Holmes 2" soundtrack, and he has performed at the European Parliament for International Holocaust Remembrance Day. A versatile musician, he is a member of the Roby Lakatos Ensemble and leads his own jazz trio, the Jeno Lisztes Cimbalom Project.

Tonight’s concert offers a rare opportunity to hear him as a solo artist, promising an unforgettable experience.

About the Cimbalom The cimbalom (Hungarian dulcimer) is a unique and vibrant instrument with deep roots in Central European musical tradition. Resembling a large, trapezoidal box adorned with metal strings, the cimbalom is played by striking the strings with small mallets, creating a rich and resonant sound. While it has been a central element of Hungarian folk music for centuries, it continues to be used in contemporary settings, frequently appearing in classical and jazz performances. For tonight’s concert, the Auckland Philharmonia has generously provided New Zealand's only full-size concert cimbalom, specially commissioned for symphonic and solo repertoire by the orchestra. Programme Jenő Lisztes will showcase the versatility of the cimbalom with a diverse and captivating programme, featuring Liszt’s fiery Hungarian Rhapsodies and a unique arrangement of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, offering fresh interpretations of these classical masterpieces.

One of the evening's highlights will be a dazzling performance of Rimsky-Korsakov’s The Flight of the Bumblebee — a whirlwind of rapid notes that perfectly displays the cimbalom's incredible speed and precision. Jeno Lisztes will be accompanied by pianist Gabriela Glapska from Wellington in several pieces, while Auckland flutist Agnes Harmath will also join him for a special musical item. This concert is organised in collaboration with the Embassy of Hungary in Wellington and The Auckland Hungarian Club.