Kati and her husband were season pass holders until Miklós became ill. After that, they wouldn’t risk going to concerts any more, but managed to find a special solution, which allowed them to be there in spirit. Let's celebrate our 40th birthday with BFO stories!
As season pass holders, my husband and I used to go to the BFO’s concerts for several years. We were not only fascinated by the professionalism of the musicians, but also impressed by Iván Fischer’s radiant personality. For example, once we saw him saying farewell to a retiring colleague. We watched how he communicated with the members of the orchestra. His entire personality reminds us of Kodály, he is so committed to introducing the joy of music to the whole country and taking music even to the most disadvantaged parts of society.
But the most important thing, of course, is how wonderfully they perform. We bought our season passes also in 2009, but unfortunately it turned out that my husband was gravely ill, so we didn’t dare to go to concerts. We sold the season passes, but I could feel that he was heartbroken. He loved concerts so much.
On the day of the first concert, he had this idea that no matter what, we shouldn’t miss the Budapest Festival Orchestra. We dressed up as if we were going to a concert, sat on the sofa in the living room, selected one of our CDs and solemnly listened to it. It was a great experience: although we couldn't be there, we still participated a little in the concert. My husband passed away in 2012, but this has been haunting me ever since. I don’t think Miklós would mind me telling you about it.
Photo: Gábor Máté
