For the final concert today at the National Museum.

Enjoying pancake (palacsinta) in between rehearsals. Merja and Jorma Panula.

The Masterclass with Jorma Panula is well on it's way. The past few days, the focus of the repertoire was Till Eulenspiegel from Strauss, and the Dance Suite by Bartók, besides the 3rd Symphony of Brahms. Beautiful music, played by the skilled MÁV Symphony Orchestra, under the supervision of a great Maestro.

The final concert arrived again much sooner, than one would have expected. An intense and demanding week behind, it is time to say thank you for Maestro Jorma Panula, the MÁV Symphony Orchestra, our wonderful students, and the many spectators at the National Museum Celebration Hall. 

Concert today at 4pm at the National Museum. Welcome!

Each time, video sessions make an important part of the Masterclass Budapest. During these session, the participants can watch the videos of the morning session with the orchestra, and get valuable feedback immediatelly from Maestro Panula, and very often from each other.

Yesterday the 3rd International MasterclassBudapest has started with intense work on the two Divertimentos by Bartók and Rautavaara, and the charmingly beautiful Petite Symphony by Gounod. Players of the MÁV Symphony Orchestra delivered a delicate performance of all pieces, and provided a relaxed working environment. Tomorrow we continue with Les Preludes and Sibelius 2nd Symphony!

The final concert of the Masterclass took place at the Celebration Hall of the National Museum in Budapest. The honorary guest of the concert was Petri Tuomi-Nikula, Finnish ambassador. The MÁV Symphony Orchestra played a splendidy the program, including Beethoven, Brahms, Sibelius and Bartók's pieces, under the batons of our talented participants.
A big thank you to our conductors, the musicians of the orchestra, all our supporters, and of course: to the Maestro!

The general rehearsal for the final concert has just started.

Every day, the four hours session with the MÁV Symphony Orchestra is recorded on video. After lunchbreak, the videos are analyzed together with Maestro Panula. Each participants can see (and hear!), what they have done in the morning, with comments from the Maestro. It is a great way to see certain moments several times, or ask questions regarding technique or music, in a relaxed athmosphare. Also, a good possibility to learn from each other. The participants receive their recordings each day, so they can analyze it further.
Besides the intense sessions, there is also time to discover Budapest, with the help of professional guides, and taste some local food and drinks.