"I was finally able to make it to Ari Kupsus's famous monthly Salon a couple nights ago. Ari is a Finnish art dealer living in Budapest. He holds classical music and art salons on a monthly basis at his flat to help fund scholarships for young Hungarian musicians and artistsThis Thursday he hosted world famous clarinetist Mark van de Wiel with accompanist Hilda Hernádi, Hungarian artist Edit Dunai , and a wine tasting provided by the Sumegi Vineyard in Szekszard.
Admittedly, I am not a big classical music fan. If I listen to anything it would be the popular classical stuff like Vivaldis Four Seasons, Bachs flute sonatas, Pictures at an Exhibition, Mendelssohns Hebrides Overture, and “New Age” artists such as George Winston and William Ackerman.
However, I am always looking for other composers and pieces I might like, so was open to going to the event for this reason, and not just the wine. I am not one to judge someone's virtuosity, but even I could tell the clarinetist and accompanist were pros, and the audience gave them a standing ovation. They played the following:
-Brahms f-minor piano clarinet sonata
-Baerman Adagio
-Rossini Introduction Theme and Variation
-Stravinsky 3 pcs for clarinet (encore)
Of the two red Sumegi wines on offer, I slightly preferred the Szekszard Cuvee to the Cabernet Sauvignon.Umm, and there were these delicious mini chocolate cakes/brownies for which I am going to have to find out the source.
Next is a world class Gala Salon February 14 at the Finnish Embassy.
For more info contact Ari by clicking here "
Source: Treehugger Dan's
15.01.2009