A concert that is rich, spicy, and full of character. La Grande Nuit de la Goulasche brings together music that simmers with folk energy and dances on the edge of classical tradition.

We begin with Haydn’s beloved Gypsy Trio, whose final movement bursts with Hungarian flair, an early example of how "Gypsy" idioms found their way into Viennese music. From there we dive into Brahms’s stormy Piano Quartet in G minor, a work that balances deep emotion with fiery momentum. It ends in a Rondo alla Zingarese, a wild, virtuosic finale that all but erupts in dance.

After the pause, the folk spirit takes over completely. Brahms’s Hungarian Dances are bold reimaginings of Romani and Magyar tunes, full of color and contrast played by the unforgettable David Castro-Balvi. Monti’s Csárdás plays with tempo and passion in classic showpiece style. And Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen closes the evening with dazzling violin pyrotechnics and heart-on-sleeve lyricism, music that wears its roots proudly.

What ties this whole night together is not just a musical style, but an attitude: one of freedom, flair, and fearless expression. Whether shaped by nostalgia, admiration, or pure love of the dance, these pieces all look to the same source for inspiration.