(PIANO)
PROGRAM
Bach-Petri – Schafe können sicher weiden from Cantata, BWV 208
F. Liszt – Jeux d’eau de la Villa d’Este, S.163/4
C.Debussy – Reflets dans l’eau from ‘’Images’’, L. 110
M. Ravel – Jeux d’eau, M. 30
F.Liszt – Mephisto Waltz No. 1, S. 514
C.Debussy – Valse romantique, L. 71
Grünfeld-Strauss – Soirée de Vienne, Op. 56
Gabor Farkas
Gábor Farkas undoubtedly stands as one of the finest pianists of his generation. His unique and highly personal performing style has earned him the title “the poet of the piano,” a distinction bestowed upon him by the renowned pianist and conductor Tamás Vásáry. Farkas is widely recognized for his vast repertoire, particularly emphasizing the romantic period. His powerful virtuosity and soothing bel canto tone are a rare gift, allowing him to make his instrument sing like no other among his peers. In the current era of exceptional piano virtuosos, the significance of tonal expression and true artistic style often goes unnoticed. However, it is precisely these qualities that make Farkas stand out as a unique musical phenomenon. He possesses a distinctive voice and style that are incomparable.
The richness of Farkas’s piano sound, his impeccable sense of agogics, and his unparalleled virtuosity firmly establish him among the very best in today’s classical music world. In 2016, he made his debut at Carnegie Hall, and since 2017, he has been an official Steinway artist. Farkas is not only a musician to be reckoned with but also a “name to watch,” as described by Jeremy Nicholas (Gramophone, London 2009). Undoubtedly, his artistry will leave an enduring mark on the future of classical music.
Gábor Farkas graduated from the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest, where he completed his DLA studies in 2014 under the mentorship of Zoltán Kocsis. He also studied under Prof. William Grant Naboré at the International Piano Academy Lake Como. Farkas’s talent and dedication have been recognized through various accolades, including his victories in the 6th International Liszt Piano Competition in Weimar in 2009, the Hungarian National Radio’s Piano Competition in 2003, and the Bartók Béla Piano Competition in Baden bei Wien in 2000. In 2012, he was honored with the Franz Liszt Award, the highest state award in Hungary.
Alongside his remarkable career, Farkas has collaborated with esteemed conductors such as Zoltán Kocsis, Ádám Fischer, Olli Mustonen, Philippe Bender, George Tchitchinadze, Olaf Henzold, Kobayashi Ken-Ichiro, Tamás Vásáry, and Charles Dutoit. He has performed with renowned orchestras including the Weimar Staatskapelle, Erfurt Symphony Orchestra, Jena Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia Varsovia, Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa, Osaka Century Orchestra, Vietnam Hanoi Symphony Orchestra, Austrian-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra, as well as major Hungarian orchestras such as BFO, NFZ, MR Symphony, and MAV Symphony.
Farkas’s debut CD recording titled “An Evening with Liszt” was released by Warner Music in 2008 and received the prestigious “Grand Prix” for the best Liszt recording of 2009, awarded by the Franz Liszt International Society. He continues to make recordings for Brilliant Classics, Naxos, Hungaroton Records, and Steinway & Sons, USA.
As a Professor at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest, Farkas regularly imparts his expertise through master classes in China, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan. He also serves as a jury member at the PTNA International Piano Competition in Tokyo. In 2017, he was honored with a professorship at the prestigious Tokyo College of Music in Japan. Recently, Farkas was awarded the Aoyama Music Award in Kyoto for his outstanding performance, recognized as the best of the year.