Music of famous pianist played, practiced during three-day event

The TCU School of Music recently hosted a collaborative event with The Liszt Academy of Budapest. This rare performance will only occur once in a lifetime, Tamás Ungár, professor of piano, said.

Lisztfest is a three-day festival that includes recitals, master classes and discussions, according to the School of Music website. Two guest performers from the Liszt Academy were in attendance and performed Franz Liszt’s famous works of music.

Ungár is a graduate of the Liszt Academy and said he wanted to create a collaboration between TCU’s School of Music and The Liszt Academy. Luckily, TCU did not have to arrange the festival, it was all under control.

“I have given a lot of concerts at the Liszt Academy, so I know all the professors, I know the administration,” Ungár said. “So, my idea of bringing two professors here was warmly welcomed.”

Aside from the performances and other activities, there was an even more important reason to celebrate this event. It was the 200th birthday of the famous pianist Franz Liszt, he said.

Through his philosophy of music, Liszt established the academy in 1875, he said. Students at the Liszt Academy learn in detail how Liszt thought and taught about music and learn to be better musicians.

Madeeha Sadiq was in the audience during one of the performances and said she could really understand what the performer was portraying. Being someone who used to play the piano, she was curious to see his movement while playing and his compassion toward the music.

“I actually stopped playing the piano, so I want to go back now after hearing all this classical music and different types; it really inspires me to play again,” Sadiq said.

The two professors held master classes which were a great opportunity for performers to get their music critiqued. Through the classes, performers receive helpful suggestions and as a result better their work, Ungár said.

“It gives a chance for many people to benefit from the advice they would give, if a person comes and performs their piece they would learn an enormous amount,” he said. “As a result, you have many other people benefitting from the same comments.”