The King of Cimbalom – September 1, Piano Nobile LiveEvents August 25, 2018 1757 The King of Cimbalom Experience the stunning virtuosity of Alexandru Sura on the cimbalom – the “gypsy piano” typical of Eastern European music – accompanied by brilliant performances on the violin, kobza, and double bass. An opportunity to explore this unique world music repertoire, with tunes played at breakneck speed alongside slow, poignant laments. The cimbalom is a chordophone in the category of table zithers. The instrument displays a large, trapezoidal box strung with metal strings that are struck with mallets. The first image of a simple struck chordophone is depicted on an Assyrian relief from Kyindjuk, dating back to 3500 before the Common Era. V. Josef Schunda designed and built the first Hungarian concert cimbalom – also referred to as the Gypsy piano – in 1874. The concert cimbalom was disseminated to other parts of the Austro-Hungarian Empire such as Romania, the Ukraine, and Moldova. Franz Liszt included a part for cimbalom in his Ungarischer Sturmmarsch; Zoltán Kodály, in his orchestral suite Háry János; Igor Stravinsky, in his ballet Renard; and Béla Bartók, in his Rhapsody no. 1 for Violin and Orchestra. Other, more recent works by composers such as Pierre Boulez, Peter Maxwell Davies, Peter Eötvös, and György Kurtág have made generous use of the cimbalom in their works. Artists Alexandru Sura, cimbalom Veronica Ungureanu, violin Dumitru Besleaga, kobza (oud) Roman Manolache, double bass Saturday, September 1, 2018 at 11:30am For information and tickets: www.placedesarts.com 514-842-2112 or 1-866-842-2112 Take part in the symphonic event of the summer! For the seventh year running, the OSM Classical Spree will contribute to the effervescence of summer in Montreal. With more than 30 colourful and affordable concerts, between 45 and 60 minutes, and an assortment of free activities, this musical celebration will make the heart of the city beat a little faster. The Classical Spree is proud to represent classical music as one of Montreal’s many vibrant festivals. For the complete list of concerts and activities visit: www.osm.ca
