Hungarian Symphony Orchestra to appear at University Auditorium

January 18, 2007

GAINESVILLE, FL –– The Hungarian Symphony Orchestra, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a debut tour to the United States, will appear at the University of Florida with Finnish pianist Paavali Jumppanen in a performance set for 7:30 p.m., Feb. 2, at the University Auditorium.

Founded in 1907, the Hungarian Symphony Orchestra achieved great popularity through its radio broadcasts in the 1920s and 1930s. It wasn’t until the 1950s, however, that the orchestra reached new artistic heights. In the 1960s, a regular subscription series was launched and the symphony began touring internationally. Since 1995, the orchestra has been in residence at the Matáv House of Music in Budapest, where it has its offices and rehearsal studios.

András Ligeti, the ninth music director for the symphony, was named to the post in 1997. Under his leadership, the orchestra has become one of the most prominent ensembles in Hungary and Europe. Its already diverse repertoire has expanded to include contemporary works, oratorios and youth performances. With more than 60 concerts each season, the orchestra performs in Budapest at the renowned Franz Liszt Academy and the Grand Assembly Hall of the Academy of Sciences.

Finnish pianist Paavali Jumppanen will be joining the symphony for its UF performance. Jumppanen won the first prize in the 2000 Young Concert Artists International Auditions. In 2001, the Young Concert Artist series presented Jumppanen’s New York debut at the 92nd Street Y. Jumppanen also has played at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.; the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston; and at the Morgan Library and Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall in New York. He has performed with a number of orchestras including the Melbourne (Australia) Symphony, the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, the Helsinki Philharmonic and the Lahti Symphony.

Tickets are available by calling the Phillips Center Box Office at (352) 392-2787 or by calling Ticketmaster at (904) 353-3309. Orders may be faxed to (352) 846-1562. Tickets are also available in person at the Phillips Center Box Office, University Box Office at the University of Florida Reitz Student Union and all Ticketmaster outlets; and on the Web at www.ticketmaster.com.