Music and the Zeneakademia

I love classical music and being in Budapest is A) perfect for this purpose and B) overwhelming.  I do believe I could find something every day to attend.   I've been to a recital at the the main music school.  It was of young violinists.  It started with children I'd guess were about 10 and they were surprisingly good.  It ended with young professionals--perhaps they are getting advanced degrees.  It was a joy to see how the young people developed: first some fingering and tone, then the tone improved and the the fingering got more complex, then (around High School age) I saw that they were developing their musicality. By the end, with the professional performances, it was all there, musicality, technical brilliance, individual style.  I loved it.

I went to the main concert hall to listen to Yevgeny Sudbin, a pianist. Frankly, I had never heard of him, but now I will go get his recordings. I knew I was "out of date" on the new leaders in music.  He was astounding to me.  At one point he was playing Chopin, suddenly I felt my late Mother's presence.  If so, angels must enjoy listening to him.

Main concert hall-Zeneakademia

And, I learned how the Hungarians appreciate a performance. Apparently no matter how fabulous the performance, Hungarians do not give standing ovations. They will shout now and then when a piece is over, but they use collective rhythmic clapping to express high approval.  And, lucky for us all, that incessant clapping got us two encores!

The setting for the Sudbin's concert, the Zeneakademia, was very nice, too!  I can hardly wait to go to the Opera House, Erkel Theater and the other music venues.

Detail from the lobby

Looking towards the stage

Lots of glitz!

Ceramic detail

A pleasant meal

I come from a small town with rather few restaurants and even less variety of restaurants--I DO appreciate the ones we have at home, of course.  Here, without even trying, I've had Belgian, Hungarian, Mexican, pizza and in all kinds of places, big and small; expensive and not.  Not to mention Fulbright took us to a place that serves renaissance style.  So, Budapest and beyond is amazing on the culinary adventures count.  At home I seem to live on sandwiches with juicy Hungarian peppers, tomatoes, and goat cheese. Yum.  I find, normally, I eat very little meat, though meat is big with Hungarians.

My husband and I enjoy a first meal in Hungary at Biarritz.

I was trying to look "queen-like"  Um...  Maybe it's the paper hat.

Now, Dr. Maloney did a fine job of looking regal.

Young Ladies of the court

Gooseleg (amazing), venison. I probably already gobbled up the delicious red cabbage and apples.

Budapest knows how to stage a tea

There's a lovely tea room atop a book store on Andrássy Avenue.  Comfortable, often has live piano music, nice coffee or tea.  Too over the top?
I like it!

First weeks in Budapest

Margit Bridge all lit up

I arrived in Budapest, Hungary on Aug 24 with my husband.  We had a fine time, though he's gone home now.  He keeps talking about how nice the people were and how wonderful the food was.  I'll agree to all that. 


I've met my two classes at Corvinus University.  One is on professional writing, though it is primarily aimed at academic writing.  The other is a graduate class on Hydropolitics--the politics of water.  I've been very impressed by the quality of the students in the international relations program.  I was not sure what the English language skill level would be, but it is extremely good.  I've started to get written assignments, as well.  So I think the semester will prove very satisfying to me as a teacher.  My Corvinus host, Dr. Peter Marton, has been so generous with his time and ideas.  It's not possible to thank him enough.

I rented a piano and the men carried it up four flights of stairs as our building elevator has room for perhaps 4 people. I started to learn to play the piano when I was on a Fulbright to Malta in '07/'08.  It's not often one gets to see progress in ones life, but in Malta I could peck out a few things (I could already read music).  Here, I played some Mozart and a Beethoven sonata.  Perfect? no.  But, what a difference.

Part of a Rubber Ducky Event

I have met various people and had a particularly interesting conversation with a past Chief Nautical Engineer for the Danube Commission.  It was the first step in my effort to learn about water management in Hungary and, more generally, in this section of the Danube.  I'll talk about it more later, but I can tell you that I think I know a good engineer when I meet one--a wonderful mix of technical skill, some political savvy, strong capacity to see a big project picture.  There's also, at least in his case, a real love for the ever changing river--it's alive to him.

Night view of Parliament in Fog

Ah, the Danube.  I have a lovely, lovely view of it from my apartment.  I watch the boats, the weather, the people.  It is endlessly interesting to me.  I know what you want to see...some PHOTOS.  They are all from out my window or from the balcony. 

Sunset