Magyar News, 2000. szeptember-2001. augusztus (11. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2001-01-01 / 5. szám
MAGIC % Tomlinson wl«d s«Uo»> “Gypsy Magic” is the right name for the event that took place this fall at the Tomlinson Middle School Auditorium. Every year the four Hungarian organizations of our area present a show of popular music. Most of them are gypsy music, others are operetta favorites. These are always the best quality, famous gypsy bands or soloist singers from the Budapest Opera. The four organizations that bring our community these joyful shows are: American Hungarian Heritage Association (AHHA), Hungarian Community Club of Wallingford, Hungarian Cultural Society of Connecticut (HCSC), and Pannónia American Hungarian Club. The Hungarian community really appreciates their effort. This time the ensemble was the six member Ernő Kállai Kiss Orchestra, and Zsuzsa Csonka, soloist of the Hungarian State Opera. The orchestra was lead by Ernő Kállai Kiss, Jr. who is the lead violinist at the world-famous Grand Hotel Danubius on Margit Island in Budapest. He was honored with the Gold record Award. His father, Senior, who was dubbed the “King of Clarinet” and a Liszt Prize Winner also played at Gypsy Magic. This is not the end of the family performers. The 14 year old son, who took first place in the Ede Zathurecky Violin Competition, entertained the audience with amazing play. Fine solo pieces were also played by Kálmán Orbán on the viola and Zsolt Bózsi on the bass. Hungarian audiences always give preference in their appreciation for cimbalom play. Well this time György Farkas out-did everything imaginable. In the program they played a good selection of original Hungarian and gypsy melodies. They performed classical pieces, including Brahms’ Hungarian Dances and Kodály’s Háry János. They also played the “hallgató” and the “csárdás” which brought back fine memories to many. Zsuzsa Csonka, soloist of the Hungarian State Opera, performed with the orchestra. She is well known to the Hungarian communities in America. On her many visits, she selflessly has served the spirit of the homeland outside of its borders. She is one of the best-known singing artist of her generation. Zsuzsa Csonka appeared in many different costumes according to the character singing the song. She even included some dance steps. The audience just loved her up. Maybe the biggest impact on this audience was when she sang the songs of patriotic nature that brought out home-sickness, or those that were . Some hummed along, while others were so touched that they couldn’t hold back their tears. Gypsy Magic was outstanding, it had a good variety of selections from the virtuoso pieces to the ones that warmed the Top: Performance at the Tomlinson Auditorium. Above: Zsuzsa Csonka getting ready for her performance. heart. Those members of the Hungarian community who, for some reason, couldn’t make it lost a lot. They should be more alert when the next performance will take place, and put it on their calendar. Joseph F. Balogh Ernő Kállai Kiss, Jr., his 14 year old son having a chat with Joseph Miklós in one of the classrooms during the intermission Ernő Kállai Kiss, Sr, on the left, in his Hungarian style red jacket meeting people from the audience Page 7
