Hungarian classical music has long been an "experiment, made from Hungarian antedecents and on Hungarian soil, to create a conscious musical culture [using the] musical world of the folk song".  Although the Hungarian upper class has long had cultural and political connections with the rest of Europe, leading to an influx of European musical ideas, the rural peasants maintained their own traditions such that by the end of the 19th century Hungarian composers could draw on rural peasant music to (re)create a Hungarian classical style. For example, Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály, two of Hungary's most famous composers, are known for using folk themes in their music. Bartók collected folk songs from across Eastern Europe, including Romania and Slovakia, whilst Kodály was more interested in creating a distinctively Hungarian musical style. Other famous Hungarian composers are Franz Liszt and Ferenc Erkel.

Budapest has been an important part of the music of Hungary. It is a home of few of the world famous hungarian symphony orchestras.

The Danube Symphony Orchestra was formed in 1961. Since then they have given many performances both in Hungary and abroad. The Orchestra consists of 60 professional musicians.

Their repertoire covers almost every musical style from the Baroque music to music of the 20th century.

Apart from the concerts they organize both for adults and children, they regularly play at various musical events held in Budapest.

Besides their permanent conductor András Deák, they are often conducted by other Hungarian and foreign conductors. Many Hungarian and foreign guest artists have performed with the orchestra, including Giuseppe di Stefano from Italy, James Galway, a flautist from Ireland and Ray Charles, the jazz star from the USA. They have given performances in Germany, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Italy.

 You can book your concert tickets online here: Programs in Budapest 

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