0VERSEAS TOURING NOW BACK TO BUDAPEST!
David Helfgott only gives a few solo concerts thoughout a year. This time he came to Budapest for the fourth time as a guest at the Grand Synagogue on the Dohany Street. The “Shine Budapest!” concert was held on Sunday, March,17. 2024 at 6 p.m. with around 4000 or more people on the spot. The music of Helfgott pianists lovers fully filled the Synagogue.
It was a breath-take-away Concert! He bound on stage like an excited child … chatting incessantly to himself … or could it be to the higher beings above!?! He was wearing a turquoise satin shirt (a Cossack dancer probably wear.) Its sheen reflects his enthusiasm. A few times looked to his right to see his audience beyond the glare of the spotlight. Assume his “Thumbs up!” is his trade mark I guess. He grins, exuding sheer joy. Then he sits at the Steinway and begins to play. Eyes open, we see a man who embraces not only the music, but the audience. He chatters nonstop, incorporates his version of singing along with the music. He is clearly having the time of his life. He sits upright. Then his back is hunched as he leans over, his face almost touching the keys. At the end of each musical piece, he jumps to his feet, grins broadly and bows hyperactively as he effusively thanks his audience. “Thumbs up!” again. He does not speak inbetween pieces. Not in the normal accepted sense. But there is no shortage of communication, albeit the language is somewhat different. There is such generosity of spirit and emotion on display. Everyone in the audience senses it. Men wearing suits, jeans and tattoos; ladies in stilettos, boots and sneakers; wide-eyed youngsters. We were hypnotized by the spell of Helfgott magnificant pianist and making him also so happy on this special night in Budapest.
Two hours later, after a standing ovation, streamers, the audience demanded the encore with minutes of standing ovation, then we witness and sharpen our ears to the Sword Dance (Khachaturian).
Riport and snaps by Aggie Reiter
Rolling in Budapest 