New York, NY — This November, the Cziffra Festival and the Liszt Institute New York will proudly present a special performance by acclaimed Hungarian pianist János Balázs. A recipient of the prestigious Kossuth Prize and a Young Steinway Artist, Balázs is recognized as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary piano performance. Renowned for his dynamic stage presence and distinctive improvisational style, he masterfully blends classical tradition with elements of jazz and world music. New York audiences will remember Mr. Balázs as the winner of the New York International Music Grand Prix in 2022.

The concert represents the artist’s Carnegie Hall debut and will be held at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, located at 154 West 57th Street & Seventh Avenue, New York on Sunday, November 9 at 7:30pm. Tickets start at $46. Purchase tickets at https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2025/11/09/Janos-Balazs-Piano-0730PM

This concert program honors the legendary 20th-century Hungarian pianist György Cziffra. It begins with water-themed works by Chopin, Liszt, and Strauss, followed by Liszt’s monumental Dante Sonata—a frequent feature in Cziffra’s repertoire. The focus then shifts to Hungarian music and improvisation, with an original improvisation by János Balázs and character pieces by two renowned contemporary Hungarian composers. The evening concludes with Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6, inspired by Hungarian gypsy music and celebrated by Cziffra as a program highlight.

Chopin: Barcarolle in F-sharp major, Op. 60

Liszt: The Fountains of the Villa d’Este

Strauss–Cziffra–Balázs: The Blue Danube (Paraphrases)

Wagner-Liszt: Isolde’s Liebestod

Liszt: Dante Sonata S. 161

Balázs: Improvisation on Hungarian folk songs

Peter Eötvös: Dances of the Brush-Footed Butterfly

László Dubrovay: Swallow Songs

Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6