Hungarian Cimbalom Maestro Conquers New York
Hungarian Cimbalom Player Receives High Acclaim for New York Philharmonic Concert
The New York Philharmonic captivated American music critics with cimbalom (hammered dulcimer) virtuoso Jenő Lisztes’ performance, reports kultura.hu. The concert took place at Lincoln Center with the Finnish conductor Susanna Mälkki, captivating the audience and critics alike.
Jenő Lisztes is celebrated for triumphing in numerous prestigious concert halls and his collaborations with film score composer Hans Zimmer. Despite the rare appearance of the cimbalom in symphonic orchestras, Lisztes’ concert showcased the unique richness of the instrument’s sound. In an interview, the artist revealed that Mälkki’s invitation followed a concert broadcast in 2020, leading to a joint performance that began unconventionally with a Lisztes solo, a rare spectacle for a typical concert program.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of the concert was Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2, performed without orchestral accompaniment. Speaking about this unique solo performance, Lisztes mentioned, “The informal playing before the ending of the piece allows me to showcase my own interpretation of the piece and the virtuosity of the cimbalom.”
Special mention was made of the cimbalom’s place in music, acknowledging the efforts made by contemporary composers such as György Kurtág (b. 1926) in creating works for the instrument. Lisztes expressed his desire for new compositions that would enrich the cimbalom repertoire.
Apart from his performances, Lisztes is an active educator, emphasizing the need for musicians to engage in teaching.
It is worth noting that the modern “pedal cimbalom” evolved from the hammered dulcimer to meet the demand for a more powerful and rich-sounding instrument. Its creator, József Schunda (1845-1923), patented his instrument in 1872. Modern cimbaloms have the same volume as concert pianos, thanks to a string tension of almost 10 tons.
With much praise and acclaim, Jenő Lisztes’ concert with the New York Philharmonic undoubtedly solidified his reputation as a master of the cimbalom, leaving a lasting impression on American audiences.
