Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART: Symphony No. 36 in C major (“Linz”), K. 425
Antonio PASCULLI: Oboe Concerto on themes from Donizetti’s La Favorita
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Franz SCHUBERT: Die Zauberharfe: Overture in C major, D 644 (Rosamunde)
Franz SCHUBERT: Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major, D 485

Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor and featuring on oboe: François Leleux

The delicate sound of the oboe never ceases to delight, even when the soloist is performing virtuoso flourishes, or when broad-ranging, lyrical melodies follow each other. The world-famous Frenchman François Leleux allows us to enjoy both when he plays the Oboe Concerto composed by Antonio Pasculli on the basis of themes from the Donizetti opera La Favorita. Leleux, a great favourite of the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra audience, is not only a woodwind phenomenon, but also an excellent conductor. At the closing evening of the Ferencsik season ticket, we will hear him conduct Mozart’s “Linz” Symphony in C major, as well as Schubert’s Rosamunde Overture and Symphony No. 5 in B major.

François Leleux has been a returning guest of the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra for many years and is always welcomed with open arms. The versatile Frenchman is not only one of the world’s best oboists, he is also an excellent conductor whose Budapest appearances always bring joy to the ensemble’s audience in both capacities. On his instrument, he will perform a piece written by the Italian oboe virtuoso Antonio Pasculli, who was born in the 19th century but died in the 20th. The Oboe Concerto was based on the themes of his Romantic-era compatriot Donizetti’s opera La Favorita and not only affords the soloist the opportunity to demonstrate a series of impressive turns on his instrument, it also gives him the chance to make his oboe sing in the spirit of Italian bel canto. As a conductor, François Leleux will lead the orchestra through Mozart’s “Linz” Symphony in C major in the first part of the concert, and Schubert’s Rosamunde Overture and Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major in the second. Those visiting the Liszt Academy on this evening can therefore expect invigorating and energetic moments throughout.

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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 a theme 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.