On October 25, 2024, at the Sissi Princess Manor in Godollo, Hungary, a unique welcome concert for the Liszt International Music Elite Program was held in this dazzling Baroque pearl.

The founders of the program, the distinguished Hungarian composer Stefan Peter and his wife Sherry Yang, specially organized the event to welcome the distinguished guest from China, Dr. Ye Hao, the curator of the world’s largest classical piano museum, to Hungary.

The performers and guests at the concert included: the famous Hungarian opera singer Levente Molnar, the outstanding cellist of the Liszt Academy of Music Zoltan Onczay, the pianist Gergely Kovacs from the Liszt Academy of Music, Mr. Ye Hao, the curator of China’s largest piano museum, the person in charge of the ABRSM Southwest China region, Ms. Mou Shan, the president of Chengdu Shan Hai Chen Lu Education Technology Co., Ltd., the famous Hungarian composer, pianist, and founder of the Liszt International Music Elite Program Stefan Peter, the president of the Singapore Music School Sherry Yang, and the manager of the Liszt International Music Elite Program Southwest China region, the president of Zan Cheng International Education Technology Co., Ltd., Mr. Freddy Chi. Some Chinese music enthusiasts also attended the concert.

At the concert, Hungarian pianists, cellists, and singers passionately performed many internationally renowned musical masterpieces, including “I’m Leaving,” “Bach Prelude in C Major,” “Sarabande,” “Gigue,” “Don Carlos,” “Saint Saens Swan,” “In the Bank,” and “La Campanella.” These pieces hold a significant place in the history of music, each carrying profound artistic content and emotional expression.

Particularly eye-catching was the performance by pianist Gergely Kovacs from the Liszt Academy of Music of the “Autumn” movement from the “Four Seasons” composed by the emerging Hungarian composer Stefan Peter. This piece, with its melodious tunes and profound emotions, echoed through the historic Sissi Princess Manor, providing the audience with an unforgettable musical experience. “Autumn” not only showcases the composer’s keen insight into the changes of seasons but also reflects the perfect integration of Hungarian musical tradition and modern innovation, adding a unique cultural touch to the concert.

The concert emulated the music salons of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, recreating the classic music exchange scenes from history. In the medieval times when photography had not yet been invented, nobles at court would often invite skilled painters to capture every moment of the music盛会 with quick and vivid brushstrokes, immortalizing the grandeur of the concert on canvas. This tradition not only recorded the splendor of music but also reflected the society’s appreciation for art and the pursuit of beauty at that time.

In this concert, to recreate the classical atmosphere of a medieval music concert and complement the Baroque style architecture of the Sissi Princess Castle, we specially hired painters to create art on the spot. Although modern photographers’ lenses can capture every detail, the brushstrokes of painters can better convey the artistic atmosphere and emotional depth of that era.

At this concert, we not only connected the past and the present, China and Hungary with music, but also through the painters’ brushes, allowed the artistic charm of the medieval period to re-emerge today, providing guests with a double feast for both hearing and sight. This was not just a concert but also a journey through time and art, allowing every participant to feel the elegance and nobility from the medieval period in the interweaving of music and color.

At the concert, Dr. Ye Hao not only shared his love and insights into music but also played the regionally distinctive Sichuan folk song “Kangding Love Song” on the spot. This performance allowed European music colleagues to enjoy the unique Chinese style, leaving a deep impression on the audience through the bridge of music, as a wonderful cross-cultural exchange.

Stefan Peter and Sherry Yang have been committed to cultivating overseas exchange programs for Chinese music students in recent years. They delve into the birthplace of Western instruments, inviting professional master musicians to teach personally, which has greatly inspired and significantly improved the musical accomplishments of the students.

The mission of the Liszt International Music Elite Program is to promote the development of music in the “Belt and Road” countries while deepening mutual understanding and friendship between the cultural backgrounds of the two countries. Through such international music exchange projects, we aim to cultivate musicians with an international perspective, build bridges for dialogue and cooperation between different cultures, and promote the prosperity and development of global music culture.