VIII. MiraTone Festival and Academy

Budapest’s vibrant musical life comes alive at the end of every August with the MiraTone Festival and Academy, now firmly established as one of the region’s premier classical music events. Recognized for its openness, innovation, and commitment to community and sustainability, the festival has twice been honored with the prestigious EFFE Label by the European Festivals Association — a distinction reserved for Europe’s most outstanding artistic festivals. Founded and artistically directed by violinist Miranda Liu, MiraTone embodies relentless energy and boundary-pushing creativity. Year after year, Miranda Liu not only curates innovative concert programs but also builds new artistic communities. Her optimism and passion infuse the entire festival, engaging both artists and audiences alike. Setting a new standard for artistic richness, the 2025 MiraTone Festival promised extraordinary experiences for its audiences. The opening concert on August 24, hosted at the FUGA Budapest Center for Architecture, spotlighted Beethoven, followed throughout the week by performances of works by 27 composers in solo piano and chamber music formats. The program thoughtfully commemorated significant anniversaries including the 150th of Ravel’s birth, the 215th of Schumann’s birth, the 275th of Bach’s death, the 80th of Bartók’s death, and the 70th of Enescu’s passing. Music lovers witnessed masterpieces such as Bach’s Goldberg Variations and D minor Chaconne, Beethoven’s Spring Sonata, Schubert’s timeless quartet Death and the Maiden, and Bartók’s Piano Quintet. The festival’s artists evoked the friendships between composers, premiered works never before heard in Hungary, and invited audiences to explore the fascinating intersection of Chopin and Polish film music. The roster of performers was exceptionally distinguished, welcoming both returning and new performers including: Miranda Liu, László Borbély, Noémi Győri, Adrienne Hauser, Csaba Pálfi (Hungary), Ioana Cristina Goicea (Romania/Austria), Haruka Nagao (Japan), Ján Krigovský and Daniel Rumler (Slovakia), Tomáš Krejbich and Tomáš Jamník (Czech Republic), Bartosz Koziak and Paweł Kowalski (Poland), Simeon Goshev (Bulgaria), and Horácio Ferreira (Portugal). A highlight was the V4 String Quartet, uniting musicians from the four Visegrád countries, symbolizing one of the most exciting examples of cultural collaboration in the region. Yet MiraTone is far more than a festival — it is a creative community inspiring the next generation of musicians. Invited artists not only perform but also lead master classes for aspiring talents from across the globe. Over the course of the week, participants attend hundreds of master classes and perform in the MiraTone Young Artists concert series, which takes place in concert halls, galleries, churches, libraries, and communal spaces — bringing classical music out of the concert hall and into the heart of the city’s everyday life. Key venues for the festival included the FUGA Budapest Center for Architecture, the Festetics Palace, and the Budapest Music Center Concert Hall.