It was a memorable evening that captivated the audience with elegance, emotion, and timeless artistry

To mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Hungary and Indonesia, the Embassy of Hungary, together with the European Union Delegation to Indonesia and House of Piano, presented a special concert titled Hungarian Melodies on July 1, 2025. Held at Shoemaker Studios, Cikini, the evening offered a warm celebration of classical music and cultural connections. All seats were fully booked within hours of registration, reflecting the strong interest from the public.

The concert featured acclaimed Hungarian-Japanese pianist Miyuji Kaneko, Indonesian singer and violinist Mia Ismi, and the award-winning Jakarta Youth Choir. Through this collaboration, audiences enjoyed a powerful musical dialogue between Hungary and Indonesia, with performances of timeless works by Hungarian composers such as Franz Liszt, Béla Bartók, Zoltán Kodály, and György Orbán, alongside popular Indonesian folk songs and international classical favorites.

In her welcoming speech, Hungarian Ambassador to Indonesia, Lilla Karsay, highlighted music as a universal language that brings people together beyond their differences. She expressed gratitude to House of Piano for initiating the collaboration and to the European Union for their support. She also shared plans to host future concerts in larger venues, noting the strong response from Jakarta’s classical music enthusiasts, particularly towards Hungarian compositions.

Among the evening’s highlights was Franz Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No 2, widely recognized from a classic Tom and Jerry cartoon. Other standout performances included Liszt’s technically demanding La Campanella and the lyrical Liebestraum No 3, both delivered with impressive skill and emotion.

The second half of the concert featured Orbán’s energetic choral work Daemon Irrepit Callidus, followed by the Indonesian folk songs Jali Jali and Rayuan Pulau Kelapa. A heartfelt rendition of the Hungarian folk song Tavaszi szél vizet áraszt, famously performed by Freddie Mercury, brought the evening to an emotional close.

Miyuji Kaneko, born to a Japanese father and Hungarian mother, is an internationally respected Steinway Artist known for his technical brilliance and expressive performances. Mia Ismi, one of Indonesia’s cultural ambassadors, has performed before more than 100 world leaders and consistently brings a distinctive blend of tradition and artistry to the global stage. The Jakarta Youth Choir, fresh from their success at the Budapest International Choir Festival, captivated the audience with their precision and passion.

Hungarian Melodies was more than a concert; it was a tribute to friendship, harmony, and the ability of music to unite cultures across continents.

 

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