Sirály

Eternally youthful even at 80, Géza Bereményi is one of the most colourful personalities on Hungary’s contemporary literary and cultural scene. A first-rate novelist and the director of now-classic films, Bereményi has also, and not least of all, proved to be a unique songwriter and lyricist with an unlimited font of inspiration and a personal stage presence that is an experience in itself.

Mozart was insatiably in love with life. He embraced everything considered “sinful”: wine, cards, billiards. And his passion extended to musical ornaments: flowery acciaccaturas, trills, cadences others dared not risk, and chromatic runs. But there can be no doubt the main objects of his desire were women. He dedicated several of his masterpieces to one or other of his lovers, who were thus immortalised by these concert and opera arias.

Emmet Cohen has clearly got what it takes. It goes without saying that he is a brilliant pianist who knows to strike a chord with his fellow musicians – legendary figures such as Ron Carter and Benny Golson, leading artists of today like Joshua Redman and Christian McBride, and even the bright hopes of tomorrow, such as Samara Joy and Mejdi Owens – and how to connect with his audience, whether in a jazz club, a concert hall, or online.