Hungarian child prodigy amazes audience

CONCERT

Islamabad

Classical music aficionados of the capital -- those who were invited, of course -- were fortunate to hear two artistes playing different instruments in one week, a rare occurrence. After the delightful event hosted by the Spanish embassy which featured renowned guitar exponent, Rafael Serrallet, the Hungarian embassy, under the aegis of Ambassador Istvan Szabo and spouse Emilia, arranged a concert by Hungarian child prodigy, Misi Boros, who surprised the audience by playing classical compositions on the piano - and that too without sheet music!

Thoughtfully included in the programme were two Pakistani pianists -- skilled player Asad Anees and Deena Shehzad, who has been learning for just three months.

The Maequee Hall of the Marriott had been appropriately decorated for the occasion with a raised stage for the performers and comfortable seating for the audience; flowers everywhere and a lovely Christmas tree on one side of the stage.

Welcoming the attendees, Ambassador Szabo said it was a great pleasure to present the young Hungarian maestro as he firmly believed that bilateral relations were strengthened by cultural exchanges which allowed people of different countries to understand each other better. After saying a few words about Misi, he added some information about the Pakistani pianists; introduced producer Mariann Peller, the lady behind Classic Talents, a company that discovers and promotes talent; thanked the Marriott management for its collaboration and his colleagues and staff of the embassy for their hard work in organizing the concert. "I hope you enjoy the concert," he said with a warm smile. 

Thirteen-year-old, Misi, began his performance with a Johann Sebastian Bach composition and went on to play short pieces by Scarlatti and other notables like Beethoven; Tchaikovsky; Brahms; Liszt; Chopin and Bartok. Not only was he a pleasure to listen to - he was delightful to watch, his expressions and gestures showing how well he enjoyed playing, as well as reminding of older, well established artistes - a turn of the head; a flourish of the hand; a glance at the audience and so on - his poise and confidence were amazing!

Asad played the 3rd movement 'Presto Agitato' of Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven with dexterity, while Deena played the transcription of the Disney song, 'Beauty and the Beast' rather well for a beginner. Asad also joined Misi in 'four hands' rendering of compositions by Tchaikovsky, while Misi's brother Daniel also did the same, playing Brahms (he is the mathematical genius in the family). The concert concluded with a surprise ending - Misi playing 'Silent Night' vocalized by a lady with a beautiful voice -- whom someone mentioned as 'Miss Lee' -- and many people in the audience were heard singing along, albeit rather quietly!

Misis proud mother was also present and answered questions during dinner, as did Mariann Peller who said she began this well known programme of discovering talent because people were losing interest in classical music and she wanted to revive it by bring young talent playing lighter and shorter pieces to attract young listeners, at which she has been successful.

Mihály Boros -- known by his nickname Misi -- was born in Pécs, Hungary in 2003. Although he asked for a guitar from his philologist parents when he was three years old, at age four he sat down by his brother's piano and has practically never stood up since then. He took part in the first ever classical music TV show, 'Virtuosos' in Hungary in 2014, winning first prize in his age group. He started competing in 2010 and won the first prize of the Lívia Rév I. South-Transdanubian Piano Competition; won almost all of the national piano competitions in his age group; was awarded first prizes in Rome, Milan and Paris garnering eleven of them from these competitions. He has played in more than 150 concerts; 82 recitals in and 30 solo concerts in many countries around the world.  This year he got the Junior Príma Prize, which is given to the most prominent talents in Hungary under the age of thirty every year. He is the youngest prize-winner ever.