This year, for the eighth time, some of Budapest’s trendiest spots will again be filled with classical music. The short concerts, free of charge, of the Night of Music, will kick off the evening on the Pest side at Három Holló, the ISON Cultural Center, the Púder bar-theater and the Tacet Brewery; on the Buda side, they will be hosted by Béla Bár, Café Hadik, Szatyor Bár, Mitzi and KEG Brasserie.

The informal mini concerts will begin in the early evening, typically at 6:00 p.m. and in some places will continue as late as midnight. Participation is free of charge at all venues, but it may be a good idea to reserve tables as soon as possible where bookings are possible, because venues tend to sell out quickly. In several places, the ad-hoc concerts will take place in close proximity to one another; those who love music and the night can easily walk from one to the next.

The list of performers was already international last year, on the 150th birthday of Budapest, and this year it will expand even further. In addition to the BFO’s artists, students of the recently established (European Orchestra Academy, EOA) will turn out at their favorite spots, this time with instruments in hand. The enthusiasm, diverse tastes and variety of musical backgrounds of Europe’s most talented young musicians will expand the world of the Night of Music in special new directions.

Four academists were at Szatyor Bár a few days ago, treating patrons to a taste of what they are planning. Check out the recording of the fun they had making music. The first movement of contemporary post-minimalist Italian composer Giovanni Sollima’s string quartet Viaggio in Italia was performed by Alexei Stychkin (violin), Éva Kóbor (violin), Barbora Butvydaitė (viola) and Alejandro Viana Herreros (cello).

The dynamic quartet of the four academists will begin their Night of Music performance at 9:30 p.m. at ISON.

The event is co-organized by Budapest Brand nZrt. and the Budapest Festival Orchestra.