“Strauss’ world … and beyond” The public’s review on the night of the concert

Distinguished Maestro!

First of all, I would like to thank you for a wonderful Strauss afternoon; it was a beautiful experience as I imagined. We are proud that in our city resides a person with such an immense cultural background who on top of it is an exceptional artist as well. I can only congratulate you.

What I have always appreciated is that despite fatigue, you have tried to bring closer to each other the public from Oradea, and the love you have for the fellow citizens is almost touchable. (You are a positive person)

It was amazing as the standing public paid attention to every note or sound until the end, for me it was a grand joy to see people leaving with smile on their faces; I truly believe everybody has gone through a beautiful experience and also learnt a lot.

I hope we will be able to experience more of that and I wish you good health. As long as I live and the Holy Father guards my life, I will be attending you concerts, as I have always have. This music is medicine to my soul.

Dear Zoltán!

I liked The Strauss night very much! It was an excellent night! The way of presentation was completely new for me, the way it was structured, step by step, from the beginnings to the Radetzky March.

The direct and friendly tone, shaking hands with those around us, the little games, with the hidden letters, were all very original ideas!

I was savouring all those things that you presented to us, interesting things, a great deal of information including even the smallest details about the life of Strauss and his era! 

Finally, I also mention your virtuoso piano performance, but not without reason. 

I am looking forward your upcoming show so that I may be part once again of such a fantastic experience!

I wish you great success in Your work!

Dear Zoltan!

I will try to describe in a few words my impression regarding the concert, of course from the spectator’s point of view, who has attended such an event for the very first time. I found out about the previous concerts also, but sadly, always too late. So I decided to add you as a friend of mine on Facebook, that way I would find the information about your concerts at “first hand”. (By the way, thank you for accepting my friendship request)

Now, I will let you know about my experience, seen from an amateur’s point of view. The criticism is only for the skilled scholars.

It was entertaining since listening to the music is one thing and accepting the artist’s invitation to be part of it is completely different. The communication with the public is enjoyable because then, the spectator becomes part of the production and he has a strong feeling that he brings something to the atmosphere. I believe people are in need of such spontaneous manifestations, especially in this hectic world when approach is desirable. I think, immediacy enchanted everyone because it has brought unknown strange people together as they are members of the same family.

I, as an amateur, was very impressed with the manner of presentation and I was convinced of the fact that the piano (or any other instrument) was ready to replace an orchestra and provide an even better musical experience. (Of course – the artist is requested for such an experience). The prose section completed the image of those times, I, for example, was able to imagine the vivid period of time.

My husband and I felt the younger generation quite absent. Besides, I do not believe that the twenty years old or even younger would not like this kind of music or the way the artist interpret the pieces or connect to the public. Whoever decides to attend such a concert, I am pretty sure, will not miss another one again.

I personally (and I believe we are quite a few) am very pleased with such an initiative and can only congratulate you for such a production, hopping in the same time, that it will become a tradition. I certainly enjoyed the performance, atmosphere, the artist and his humour, even the score reading though I am pretty sure it is not an easy task for the uninitiated (like myself). Everything human and natural is amazing.

Dear Artist ! Fellow countryman! 
I can affirm without any doubt that tonight you gave me the present of the greatest event of the remaining years of my life. It was a huge surprise to bring together within the same show Chopin and the Strauss dynasty.  I do not feel as if I were at a concert but in a pleasant company, because You present the show in such a straightforward way that you didn`t even need a podium, you lived with us and enriched our soul. I consider that the present that you gave me is a nourishment to the soul. As a mental health nurse I often gave the people in may care activities related to literature. You offered the audience music therapy with great success. My vocabulary is so poor that I cannot thank you enough for the experience. I ask God / fate that you have a wonderful career, enriching the successes of your predecessors and the musical values of the ”Pece-parti Párizs”.

We believe Oradea has its own L. Brenstein. Our city’s Hungarian music-loving public has had the opportunity to attend an educative, enlightening, funny and very professional concert. It was a night to remember. We will pass on the good news! …  Thank you from our hearts, dear Maestro!

Just like in probably more cases, my habit, when the time is right, is to sit down and watch the New Year’s Concert from Vienna as is being broadcasted. That was precisely why I was so enchanted when they announced the Strauss evening. I knew the venue, and waited so long for the artist.

I have attended on several occasions concerts at the museum, but this time I am surprised about the number of spectators. It was important and gratifying that Maestro Thurzó, left the stage to come down and be with the public to make the music more accessible. Thus, we learnt interesting facts about the composers and their works. The parts he chose to play were well-known and also loved, even if we were not used to such a presentation. It was unusual though interesting and exciting to listen to the piano play polkas and the Radetzky March. The new presentation did not take away the beauty of the music, only dressed them in new clothes. The Strauss waltzes played in a virtuous manner by the Maestro were comforting to our souls, our everyday worries faded away and offered the chance for us, music fans from Oradea to be together in gratitude.

Dear Maestro Zoltán Thurzó, my 9 years old son, Mark, and I would like to thank you, firstly, that beautiful Sunday; he was very happy to be there. We recorded some of the songs on my smartphone and listened to thm on our way home; a few days later, my son set one of the songs as ringtone on my phone. 

I really loved your stories about Johann Strauss, the son, I would never forget it; the explanations were simple, easy to understand, it was also nice that the public was involved and could hear the sound of music. I really love music and often both my son Mark and I felt like moving legs and hands in an attempt to dance   I am no scholar but everything was nicely arranged, the piano sounded very good, I have often felt my heart pound so hard that my chest will explode. I felt happy.

I thank you once again and I look forth your next concert!

Dear Zoltán!

Firstly, we would like to thank for the invitation (my husband and I), we had a really great time. 

It is true, I absolutely adore Strauss, but honestly I could not imagine Strauss on piano. The Blue Danube waltz sounded interesting on piano and the bouncing tempo of Radetzky March was overwhelming. It was a nice surprise, Strauss sounded great on piano. Honestly, my favourite was Viennese Blood, it really stroke a cord, it reminded me best of the Viennese ambient, centuries ago.

It was nice to listen to waltzes and polkas, traditionally played by orchestras, now magically played by an artist on piano.

We are very pleased to have participated to the concert, and we eagerly wait for further events!

With sympathy,

Dear Zoltán!

The Straus concert exceeded all my expectations. The truly great piano music made the stories special, more complex. I, personally, read about Strauss’ life yet I learnt new things. I believe it was a very good idea to spice up the concert with thoughts, stories, interesting facts.

I enjoyed every moment and now look forward with excitement to the concert programmed in March, at the Philharmonic.

I wish you best of luck!

Hello!

First, I wish to congratulate you for the great evening, you surprised us with a gift last week. I liked your presentation, the relaxed way.

It was remarkable how the bridge between artist and public disappeared, because you managed to break it down when you decided to walk among the audience, explain and search for the eye contact. This helped develop a familiar atmosphere – “I speak to you and play for you in the same time, so this represents everything I have wanted to give you from the very first time, to be part of you, unforgettable.” Strauss was a great choice because, let us face it, everyone wanted to listen to Strauss, his music being light, easy to understand. I confess frankly, Liszt and Kodaly are great, but I personally consider their music hard, difficult to listen to. 

You literally informed us, told as such things we could not even imagine; I thought I knew so much about Strauss and it turned out I did not read enough … You managed to inspire us and make us want to stand up and waltz with your absolutely marvellous virtuosity … This means the artist has the audience’s entire attention … 

And there is something else I would like to tell, in compensation, since it is the first time I write to you.

When I attended for the first time the Summer Evening representation with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, obviously in Vienna, and I saw their “warm-up”, I realized that it was going to be an informal concert. As you probably know, the concert takes place in the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace and the organizers pay attention to details such as the park and the green area to be preserved in best conditions … In front of the stage they arrange many chairs … but above, in front of the Gloriett on the green lawn speakers and projector are placed … so it not necessary for the viewer to be in front of the stage to enjoy quality music, he can watch the artists on projectors … live and up close. What matters and it has really gotten me … the young people … so many, of different nationalities, Japanese, etc. elegantly or casually dressed, sitting down on blankets on the green lawn, taking out from their picnic basket glasses and champagne, perhaps dinner, watching the concert on the big projector and sometimes even waltzing, in a relaxed manner … 

What I saw in Austria I managed to feel at you concert; without the picnic basket you created a familiar, simple and spontaneous mood.

Thank you for this, but let us admit it, Strauss will always be Strauss …

The truth is I like classical music but not all of it.

When I found out that you were going to have a piano concert, I was very excited because I really enjoyed the piano. Before entering the hall I thought to myself, it would not be such a big thing: couple of songs played at the piano, a little chit chat and the one and a half hour would be gone. Well I was surprised and honoured that I witnessed such an evening. So far, I did not know too much about Strauss, but the way you managed to speak about Strauss’ life raised the interest. I particularly liked how friendly and direct you were towards your guests. You also managed to present Strauss’ life in a captivating and straight manner. You detailed his life while playing the piano. It was pretty obvious that you put your heart and soul into the success of this evening. Thank you for that.
Als ich erfuhr, daß Sie wieder ein Klavierkonzert halten werden, wartete ich gespannt, weil ich das Klavierspielen gerne höre. Als ich den Raum betrat, mein erster Eindruck war, daß wir ein paar Lieder mit Texten hören werden und eins-zwei wird die Stunde vorbei sein.  Stattdessen war ich überrascht, daß ich bei einem so wunderbaren Konzert anwesend sein konnten. Bis jetzt wußte ich nicht so viel über Strauss, aber Sie haben mein Interesse geweckt, wenn Sie uns das Leben von Strauss dargestellt haben. Insbesondere mochte ich, wie Sie lässig und unkompliziert waren, und wie detailliert Sie uns über sein Leben erklärten. Während dieser Zeit spielte Sie den Klavier uns so konnten wir bemerken wieviel Vorbereitung Sie haben. Nochmals vielen Dank.

The Tritsch-Tratsch Polka was the cherry on top!

It was a pleasure to be there and listen to you play.

Emotionally I was able to recharge myself and I left with a positive attitude. I was nerveless, happy and free. I was flying and indeed I was heading for another epoch, a different world.

Last but not least, I have to thank you for this amazing journey “back in time”, a fantastic experience.

Dear Zoltán,

I would like to thank you the great experience in a lazy Sunday afternoon; I love living in Oradea, though sometimes, I feel I don’t get enough intellectual stimulus … so thank you again for the wonderful evening.
I really enjoyed the presentation, it came down to the point where I was able to picture myself into the world of Strauss and I could understand the circumstances he lived in when he composed his masterpieces. Musically speaking I liked the selection of songs we heard, I would have changed, though, the hall, it is only a layman’s opinion, it seemed to me the acoustic was not the best, but I was pleased to observe that the hall was at its maximum capacity, even over. So, I think for you next concert, you might consider a bigger hall with a better acoustic.

Thank you

Dear Zoltán!

First of all, I would like to apologize for requesting your Facebook friendship without knowing you at all, though I hope this would change.

was quite emotional as I departed for your Sunday concert because I really wanted to be there, I was curious as well and I believe I was lucky because I went on my own and out of  the blue I spotted a chair in the fifth row, I set down and enjoyed your music.

It was uplifting listening and watching you play the piano; I recharged my batteries and hopefully it would last until your next performance.

You are a gifted artist, no doubt of it, and you have a unique way of sharing information in minutes, for instance about Strauss and his family, information I have read about for hours.

We crave for artists like you; Oradea deserves to be alive, to have cultural life because we are born here, we live here.

I am proud to have met a remarkable personality, it is a great privilege to live in the same city with you, who are so direct to your public.

I have seen a lot and travelled thousand miles to watch and listen to my favourite artists and all this time, our treasure sits next to us and we will have to start to appreciate him, now.

Dear Zoltán, I would like to congratulate you once again and wish you an exceptional career!!

I am not a man of words (I count a lot and write less) but I will try to express more than just a WOW. I really enjoyed your performance, how you were able to lift spirits through your piano. And the narration between sounds and tunes was great, I learnt a lot, things I did not know or read about. I really appreciated. It was almost as if I was in a Viennese salon. I look forth your next concert.

After being present at the Strauss evening, I felt sorry I missed the Chopin concert

The truth is that is a bit difficult to express in so many words what I have in mind

In today’s fast-paced world, those one or two hours were a blessing. At least, I considered it so.

An admirable work … to play those masterpieces only on piano, going back in time and giving life to that nice atmosphere, reminding us of history and past “everyday” events … interpreting all this so naturally … well, I can only congratulate you

I could criticize only one thing … the hall was jammed with people, but 90% of them were seniors … the youth should know that, finally, Oradea was able to produce an event worthy of their presence: interactive and entertaining

What did I feel during your concert?

One of Hemingway’s novels comes up in my mind … For whom the bell tolls or Farewell to arms, I cannot remember … One of these two starts with the thoughts or speech of a gypsy woman … explaining that during her life, a woman experiences only three moments of great pleasure… forgive me for drawing a parallel, but probably, I have lived this evening one of those three momentums.

I wish you success

During a piano concert, you will come to the moment when peace fills up your heart. The classical music is a medicine for the soul. This is exactly how I have felt at the concert.

Firstly, I have to say that I like classical music but at amateur level. I only listen to it when I have the chance.

The concert you organized represented a memorable experience, also because it was the first one for me. You made it quite attractive with the narrations inserted between songs (I would like to ask you to maintain this method of presentation, if possible), I felt like I was brought back in time and almost live the culture’s important momentums.

I feel that the audience from Oradea needs your music, your perception of life and the way you try to give it to us through music.

Well, that’s it – I hope I will be able to attend many of concerts.

I wish you a beautiful day

“It has been a while since I have attended a concert, yet I know when I hear Strauss it can only mean – it is going to be wonderful; the truth is, it has been something new, since we have heard Strauss played by an orchestra, but this time the piano has managed to incorporate all instruments present in the big band. I close my eyes and enjoy music and on this occasion we have attended the concert so many and I have had to stand. It did not mind me for I was able to close my eyes and enjoy every second. There were moments when I felt I was in the middle of a ball room, waltzing … Thank you, Zoltán Thurzó.”