Shanghai Daily news

Mid-autumn is a good season in which to enjoy an enchanting glimpse of Central Europe through a concert entitled ``Danube Rhapsody'' presented by the Antal Szalai Gypsy Band of Hungary.
Affiliated to the internationally renowned Honved Ensemble, the Antal Szalai Gypsy Band was among the world's first international gypsy bands and consists of some 10 outstanding musicians under the leadership of violinist Antal Szalai. The members of the band in their concerts display inexhaustible energy and exquisite skill in their playing. Their music-making has proved to be extremely popular around the world and has been highly praised for its perfect integration of authentic gypsy music with Western classical music and even jazz. The band's highly charged performances lift audiences to fever pitch and it is not unusual to see an outpouring of emotion as each musical item reaches its climax. As a representative Hungarian folk art group, the band appears at every major Hungarian cultural event, including an annual engagement at the Budapest Spring Festival. It tours with the Honved Ensemble frequently abroad, performing at international musical events such as the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the World Expos in Lisbon and Hanover. ``Danube Rhapsody'' will take Shanghai audience on a journey through the various cultures of the countries along the great river. The program includes timeless classics of the countries of Central Europe as well as popular gypsy melodies including Liszt's ``Hungarian Rhapsodies,'' Brahms' ``Hungarian Dances,'' Berlioz's ``Rakoczi March,'' and Monti's ``Csardas.'' To go with the music, performers from the Honved Ensemble will be on stage to display their folk dancing skills.

Date: October 17, 7:30pm
Venue: Shanghai Concert Hall, 523 Yan'an Rd E.
Tickets: 100-300 yuan
Tel: 6386-9153