A Musical World Premiere in Budapest: The Hungarian and Chinese Four Seasons
A Historic Night at the Liszt Academy
Experience a true musical milestone in the heart of Budapest this February. On February 2, 2026, at 19:30, the Grand Hall of the Liszt Academy of Music will host the world premiere of two remarkable works presented together in a single program: The Hungarian and Chinese Four Seasons.
This special evening brings together two nations, two composers, and two musical traditions. It offers a unique opportunity for visitors to Budapest to hear a cultural dialogue between East and West, framed around the timeless theme of the changing seasons.
About the Program
The concert is part of a larger European tour that coincides with two major musical anniversaries: the 300th year of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and the 150th year of Tchaikovsky’s piano cycle The Seasons. In this context, the new Hungarian and Chinese works continue the legacy of these classical masterpieces while offering a fresh 21st‑century perspective.
The Hungarian Four Seasons, also known as The Year, is composed by Péter Stefán and performed by pianist Gergely Kovács. This piano work draws heavily on Hungarian folk traditions from across the Carpathian Basin, evoking regions from Sárköz and Máramaros to areas beyond today’s borders.
The Chinese Four Seasons is composed by Wen Ziyang for violin and chamber orchestra. It is performed by renowned violinist Lu Siqing together with the United Chinese–Hungarian Chamber Orchestra, bringing together musicians from the Major Beijing Orchestra and the Bartók Béla Chamber Ensemble. The piece paints a musical journey through China, with inspirations from Inner Mongolia to Beijing and Tibet, rich in folk colors and regional character.
Best deals of Budapest
A Unique Artistic Encounter
One of the most fascinating aspects of this project is that both composers developed their season cycles independently, without knowing about each other’s work. Yet the two pieces show striking similarities in concept and outlook, as if they were created in silent conversation across continents.
Both compositions blend folk sources with a contemporary neoclassical style, transforming traditional material into vivid, modern concert music. For audiences, this means an evening that feels both rooted in heritage and excitingly new, making it ideal for culture‑seeking travelers in Budapest.
Event Details and Tickets
Date: February 2, 2026 (Monday)
Time: 19:30
Venue: Liszt Academy of Music – Grand Hall (Zeneakadémia Nagyterem), Budapest
Organizer: Sunflower Piano House
Tickets are available online in several price categories: 5,000, 9,000, 14,000 and 19,000 HUF. Seats can be purchased online through Jegy.hu for the Budapest stop of the European tour.
Why This Concert Belongs on Your Budapest Itinerary
For foreign visitors looking for refined evening programs, this premiere is a perfect way to experience Budapest’s world‑class classical music scene in an iconic historic venue. It combines the atmosphere of the Liszt Academy’s Grand Hall with a truly international artistic collaboration between Hungarian and Chinese musicians.
If you are searching for things to do in Budapest in early February, this concert offers more than just beautiful music. It is a rare chance to witness two major contemporary works presented together for the first time in Europe, celebrating shared human themes through different cultural lenses.