Johann Nepomuk HUMMEL: Overture in B-flat major, Op. 101
Joseph HAYDN: Notturno No. 5 in C major, Hob. II:29
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART: Horn Concerto No. 4 in E-flat major, K. 495
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William BOYCE: Symphony No. 5 in D major
Joseph HAYDN: Symphony No. 101 in D major, (“The Clock”), Hob. I:101

László Gál Jr horn
Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor: Benjamin Bayl

Haydn’s rarely heard Notturno in C major and his popular “Clock” Symphony, as well as Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 4 in E-flat, represent the greats of Viennese classicism at the second evening of the Ferencsik season ticket. The composer of the Overture in B-flat major that opens the concert, Hummel, was eight years younger than Beethoven and took lessons from both Mozart and Haydn. The most noteworthy piece on the concert programme is the Symphony No. 5 in D major by the Brit William Boyce, who, as a contemporary of the forerunner to Classicism Philipp Emanuel Bach, was not only born long before Mozart, but also prior to Haydn, in 1711. Conducting the Hungarian National Philharmonic will be the Dutch-Australian Benjamin Bayl, who is an expert in historical performance, while the Horn Concerto will be performed by László Gál Jr.

It is popularly believed that Beethoven was the only composer struck down by hearing loss, and who continued to write music despite his tragic affliction. In truth, the Czech Smetana, the French Fauré and the British Vaughan Williams all shared the fate of the composer of Fidelio. Another composer who carried on writing music despite going deaf was the British William Boyce, a contemporary of Philipp Emanuel Bach whose Symphony No. 5. in D major is the rare treat of the second concert of the Ferencsik season ticket. Conducted by the Dutch-Australian Benjamin Bayl, who has vast experience of historical performance, the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra will play two Haydn works on this evening: the Notturno in C major is a rarely heard work, while Symphony No. 101 in D Major (“The Clock”) is one of the composer’s most popular pieces. Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 4 in E-flat major will be performed by László Gál Jr, while the programme that blends the known and unknown in good measure will be introduced by the Overture in B-flat major by Johann Nepomuk Hummel, a student of Mozart and Haydn.

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As in previous years, the 2025/2026 Ferencsik season ticket is aimed primarily at lovers of the Viennese classics. Once again it, offers a wealth of enriching experiences. From Joseph Haydn, we will hear the Symphony No. 87 in A major, the Notturno No. 5 in C major, the “Clock” symphony and the Violin Concerto No. 4 in G major. The works by Mozart to be played include the Horn Concerto No. 4 in E-flat major and, on the penultimate evening of the subscription, an all-Mozart programme consisting of the overture to Don Giovanni, the Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor, the “Great” Symphony No. 40 in G minor, with the “Linz Symphony” featured on the final night. Representing Beethoven on the programme for the third concert will be his Second Symphony.

Interspersed among these greatest of composers will be lesser-known ones who spoke the same common musical language of the time. It is in this spirit that we will also hear music by Johann Georg Albrechtsberger and Johann Nepomuk Hummel, as well as pieces by the English composer William Boyce, who hails from the same generation as Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, and Sweden’s Joseph Martin Kraus, born in the same year as Mozart. The final concert expands the focus into the 19th century with the oboe concerto that the Italian Antonio Pasculli based on themes by Donizetti, as well as Schubert’s Rosamunde Overture and Fifth Symphony.

This season ticket brings to the stage such instrumental soloists as the trumpet wizard Gábor Boldoczki, horn player László Gál Jr, the outstanding French violin virtuoso Chouchane Siranossian and the pianist Mihály Berecz, with a chance at the last concert for us all to enjoy François Leleux not only conducting, but, as usual, also playing his oboe. In addition to György Vashegyi, who will take the podium for two of the concerts, we will also get to meet some other excellent conductors specialising in early music like the Australian Benjamin Bayl and Italy’s Andrea Marcon.