Cluj´s 19th Century Piano Repertoire

This event is co-funded by the Ministry of Education´s funds for research at the „Gheorghe Dima” National Music Academy of Cluj

The project proposes to publish information about the 19^th century piano culture in Cluj. There was a remarkable music culture, sustained by Hungarian noble families who hired musicians from Vienna in order to teach and perform at their residences, as well as an emerging bourgeoisie, longing for the music of the Austro-Hungarian Empire´s capital. Important events were the funding of the theatre in 1792 (which also offered musical performances), the conservatory in 1819 which brought an important development in every field of musical activity, but also the fusion between Hungarian folklore and cultured music which lead to a national style in music. The program presents a few examples of Viennese style compositions (Pöschl, Caudella, Ruzitska), but also works with a folkloristic touch (Lavotta, Erkel) as well as the Chopin-like Impromptu by child prodigy Carl Filtsch. He was probably Transylvania´s greatest musical genius, who unfortunately didn´t reach maturity due to his premature death at the age of only 15.