To mark the 100th birthday of Transylvanian-born composer György Kurtág, MCC invites you to an evening dedicated to a truly distinctive voice of modern music. Together, we will explore the language built from fragments, miniature forms, and eloquent silences—an artistic voice that has made Kurtág one of the most important figures of 20th-century musical modernism. 

Our panel discussion will explore the idea of Transylvanian modernity, with a special focus on Kurtág’s role in international and local musical culture. We will also address how modern music can become a shared community experience. What helps an audience connect with contemporary music pieces? What kind of guidance or context is needed for meaningful reception, and what kind of cultural environment makes space for the focused attention Kurtág’s music calls for? 

Does “Transylvanian modernity” exist as a concept—and if so, how is it shaped by Kurtág’s Transylvanian background? We warmly invite everyone to join us in celebrating contemporary music and the many ways it can bring a community together. 

The evening will feature a musical performance by István Trombitás, violinist. 

Participants: 

  • Dr. Gintarė Stankevičiūtė, musicologist and researcher affiliated with the University of Southampton and the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. Her work focuses primarily on 20th- and 21st-century music, contemporary composition, and questions of musical modernity and aesthetics. In her research, she places particular emphasis on situating Central and Eastern European musical thought within an international context, while also exploring the complex processes of musical reception and production across different cultural environments. As both a researcher and lecturer, she aims to embed musicological analysis within a broader, interdisciplinary perspective. 
  • Dr. Adrian Pop, composer and a leading figure in Romanian contemporary music and higher music education. He is Professor of Composition at the Gheorghe Dima Music Academy, where he previously served as Rector. He is also a former General Director and professional advisor of the Transylvania State Philharmonic. He has played a key role in the institutional development of contemporary music in the city, including serving as curator and contributor to the Cluj Modern contemporary music festival and concert series, which has a lasting impact on the local and national musical ecosystem. 
  • Dr. Emese Sófalvi, musicologist, Head of the Archive of Transylvanian Composers, and Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Reformed Theology and Music of Babeș–Bolyai University. Through both her research and public engagements, she highlights the historical layers and institutional memory of Hungarian musical culture in Transylvania. She approaches music history not only as an academic narrative, but also as a question of community identity and cultural remembrance. In lectures, curatorial collaborations, and publications, she examines how the institutional history of music education, concert life, and cultural heritage in Kolozsvár/Cluj and Transylvania has shaped the region’s cultural self-image. 
  • Moderator: Tekla Demeter-Vincze, pianist and Director of International Relations at MCC in Transylvania. 

As MCC celebrates the Month of Community in February, our event is part of this initiative. 

We kindly ask you to inform us of your intention to attend by filling in the form below:

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