Cziffra Festival Presents: Hungarian Pianist János Balázs
Hommage à Cziffra: Works by Chopin, Liszt, Ravel, Schumann
November 16, 2026 7:30 PM

New York, NY — Following his acclaimed debut last season, renowned Hungarian pianist János Balázs returns to Carnegie Hall for a solo recital honoring the legacy of György Cziffra, one of the 20th century’s legendary masters. 

Known for his technical brilliance, improvisational freedom, and expressive range, Cziffra redefined what was possible on the instrument and remains an enduring figure of artistic resilience. Channeling that same spirit, as part of the Cziffra Festival, Balázs brings a blend of depth, nuance, and effortless command to New York, showcasing the distinct identity of the Hungarian piano tradition. 

Steering clear of standard programming, Balázs offers a captivating selection of Romantic works. The evening opens with the warmth of Schumann’s Widmung (transcribed by Liszt) and the vivid storytelling of Carnaval. The music then flows through the energy of Liszt’s Spanish Rhapsody, the elegance of Chopin’s Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante, and Liszt’s iconic Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12, before concluding with a dramatic finish in Ravel’s La Valse. Presented by Cziffra Festival with support from the National Cultural Fund.

The concert will be held at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, located near Seventh Avenue between 56th and 57th streets, New York on Monday, November 16  at 7:30pm. Tickets start at $41. Purchase tickets at www.carnegiehall.org

Complete Program:

• Schumann-Liszt: Widmung
• Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9
• Liszt: Spanish Rhapsody, S. 254 
• Chopin: Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante, Op. 22
• Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody, No.12
• Ravel: La Valse

The Cziffra Festival, founded in Hungary, is a classical music festival dedicated to preserving and carrying forward the artistic legacy of György Cziffra, one of the most remarkable Hungarian pianists of the 20th century. Bringing together world-renowned artists and outstanding emerging talents, the festival presents concerts and cultural programs in Hungary and internationally, while promoting the values that defined Cziffra’s artistry: virtuosity, individuality, artistic freedom, and openness across musical genres. Over the years, the festival has grown beyond Hungary, building an increasingly strong international presence and introducing Cziffra’s legacy to audiences across Europe and beyond.

About the artist:

János Balázs is keen to demonstrate his improvisation skills in various areas beyond the classical stage, such as jazz, world music, or folk music, which is always imbued with classical music’s values and the 20th-century tradition of improvisation.

Music critiques highlight the delicacy and diverse colours of his piano playing, his unlimited dynamic scale and his fascinating virtuosity. Attending János Balázs’ concerts is a genuine time travel, as he evokes with full force the intimate ambience of the composers and pianists of the so-called 19th century golden age, like Franz Liszt or Frédéric Chopin.

He is a returning artist of the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, the Tchaikovsky Conservatory, Moscow, the Cologne Philharmonic, the Liszt Academy and MüPa in Budapest. He has given celebrated concerts on the stages of the Cité de la Musique, Palau de Musica, Barbican Centre, Wiener Konzerthaus and the Royal Conservatory. He collaborated with such famed orchestras and conductors as Charles Dutoit, Gábor Takács-Nagy, Peter Eötvös, the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Iván Fischer, the Royal Concertgebouworkest, Mikko Franck and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France.