Rudolf Buchbinder has now been an honoured member of the front rank of the international community of pianists for more than half a century, respected as a profound and intellectual musician who is considered one of the most authentic performers of the Classical and Romantic repertoires. His visits to Hungary have been few and far between, which is what makes this an extraordinary opportunity to hear him perform not only as a soloist, but in a programme of chamber music as well. Chamber music has always played an important role in his career: he was 15 years old (!) when - as a member of a piano trio of youngsters given special permission to enter - he won the ARD International Music Competition in Munich, one of the most prestigious competitions in the world. Later on, he would partner with musicians like Josef Suk and János Starker. 'From the point of view of his career, the great pianist Claudio Arrau has always been my role model,' said Buchbinder, who turns 74 this year, in an interview a few years ago. 'His career could be characterised as a gentle slope moving constantly upward, and at the end of his life he reached its peak. That is my dream too.'

Presented by: Müpa Budapest