In harmony with ‘Princess of Violin’

Hungarian trio leaves audience spellbound with soul-stirring renditions of classics and mainstream music

ISLAMABAD:

The Hungarian crossover trio, Princesses of Violin performed to a packed audience at a hotel on Wednesday evening. While introducing the musicians, the Hungarian Ambassador, István Szabó said that the talented and beautiful ladies have carved a niche for themselves and garnered international acclaim by ignoring stereotypes and tearing down the walls between classical and popular music. The musicians are: Krisztina Pados, Dorottya Ilosfai, Beata Molnar.

Moving gracefully, they took their positions onstage with poise. Clad in pristine white dresses, the violin-slinging young women created an eclectic, soul-stirring harmony as they began playing in harmony. They opened the concert with Hungarian Dances by Brahms, followed by the Fox Dance by Leo Weiner. Picking up gentle rhythms in a series of dance-inspired moves, they showcased dexterity over their craft and exuded an almost ethereal essence. They swayed, unfurled and waltzed to the melodies emanating from the sleek electronic violins, creating a soulful ambience without uttering a word and that was the charm of the performance.



With overhead spotlights dimmed out at first, the musicians glowed softly as they played slow rhythms, pacing up with more upbeat and retro-inspired musical notes under the blinking neon haze. Depending on the mood of each musical piece, they transformed from dramatically-slow to lively powerhouse performances in swift succession.

Picking momentum in calculated rhythms and letting go at odd intervals, they eased into melodies such as the Theme of the Pirates of the Caribbean by Piazolla and Hey Gypsy by Imre Kálmán. They also delved into JS Bach’s Toccata and Fugua in D-minor. The musicians rounded off the concert with a performance of a moving rendition of V Monti’s Csádás to thunderous applause and a standing ovation.

“It was a treat beyond hopes,” said Parveen Malik, president of the Asian Study Group. She added that such an event was happening after a long hiatus in a city which has a dearth of cultural activities. Susan Heyward, wife of the Australian High Commissioner, found the concert to be “very entertaining”. “I loved the music, it was very vibrant and I wish we could dance to it. But I definitely look forward to more of such events happen in future,” said Mahreen Khan of Mousiqar Welfare Trust.

“I was chuckling while I had a thought that was going through my mind as I was looking through these electronic violins,” said Dr Ayesha Mustafa, another guest. “And that was that Stradivarius, the renowned violin-maker must have been rolling over in his grave to see electronic violins, but they were just superb.”

The ambassador remarked that like Hungary, Pakistan was very committed to culture as expressed gratitude for the support from the sponsors, staff at the embassy and the hotel management for organising the event. The event was organised in collaboration with MOL Pakistan Oil and Gas Company.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 4^th, 2015.

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