In the September issue of "Lakáskultúra", Hungarian interior magazine there's an article of Ari's mansion. Ari is a Finnish man living and renovating the castle during summer seasons, otherwise living in Budapest. He collects and sells antiques.

If you like to see more pics of this wonderful place, click here!

Syyskuun "Lakáskultúra"-sisustuslehden numerossa esitellään suomalaisen arin ylläpitämä linna Unkarissa. Ari asustelee linnassa sekä remppaa sitä kesäisin, talvet hän asuu Budapestissa.

Lisää kuvia Arin linnasta löytyy täältä!

Ari's Salon Concert

Every 2nd Thursday of the month

is time for Ari's Salon Concert at his home

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November's artist:

Excellent young pianist Dávid Báll

- his version of Franz Liszt-Vincenzo Bellini's

Reminiscences de Norma

show his great talent

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Ari & Dávid Báll

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Because of Ari's renovation work

in his dining room,

the after concert reception

was downstairs at Ari's gallery

- had only a short visit there,

dinner with friends at Rubin was waiting...

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Ari's Salon Concert

It was the 2nd Thursday of the month,

so time for Ari's Salon Concert!

- the season started already in September,

but couldn't make it

as my feet were badly wounded

after walking a long distance

in new gorgeous shoes by Minna Parikka...

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Countertenor Randall Scotting

pianist Gabriella Gyökér

in a concert of Baroque opera arias.
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Mr. Scotting has appeared in Carnegie Hall twice in 2008

and is currently preparing his debut performances

with Minnesota opera in the US

and Landestheater Neusterlitz in Germany.

An artist with a brilliant and rich voice charming his audiences

with his extraordinary stage-presence.
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Ari, László, Randall Scotting & Gabriella Gyökér

- very nice concert!

- songs by Handel, Haydn &

Hungarian composers Ligeti & Bartok

- especially the contemporary songs by Ligeti

were very interesting!

Have to go & buy cd's of Ligeti's music!
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- funny though, didn't meet any familiar faces there,

except Ari & Laszló

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Detail of Ari's beautiful blue dining room
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The Gala Award Salon Concert

Ari S. Kupsus Charity Society's

Gala Award Salon Concert at the Finnish Embassy

on Thursday Feb.12. at 7pm.

Ari presenting the activities of his charity society

László was translating Ari's speech in Hungarian

The awards were given by Janina Vilen, Ari, Janine and László

Special guest of the evening:

Nicholas Clapton, countertenor

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English counter-tenor Nicholas Clapton is one of today's most acclaimed performer of both contemporary music and operatic vocal repertory of the 18th century.

He is pursuing a wide-ranging career as an opera singer and recitalist worldwide.

Besides his musical activities as a performer he is professor of singing at the Royal Academy of Music in London and visiting professor at the Liszt Academy of Music.

Programme

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Henry Purcell (1659-1695)

- Sweeter than roses

- Fairest isle

- If music be the food of love

- An evening hymn

Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)

- She never told her love

- Piercing eyes

- The spirit's song

- Fidelity

Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847)

- Gruss

- Venetianisches Gonddellied

- Erster Verlust

- Neue Liebe

Michael Tippett (1905-1998): Songs for Ariel

- Come onto these yllow sands

- Full fathom five

- Where the bee sucks

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The programme was marvellous and very well chosen!

Between the different composers he told about his extraordinary voice,

very interesting!

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Ari thanking and giving Finnish souveniers

to Nicholas Clapton and the pianist Gabriella Gyökér

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Pianist Gabriella Gyökér has established herself as a versatile pianist who is at constant demand both as a chamber musician and a piano accompanist.

She has appeared as an accompanist with notable musicians such as Eva Marton, Sheryl Milnes, Zsigmondy Dénes and Nicholas Clapton.

She coaches singers as faculty member of the Liszt Academy of Music.

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http://www.nicholasclapton.com/

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Ari's Salon Concert

Went to Ari's Salon Concert on Thursday night

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The night's guest star was clarinetist

Mark van de Wiel

Mr van de Wiel is established as one of Britain´s leading clarinettists, Principal Clarinet of the Philharmonia Orchestra and of the London Sinfonietta.

He performs at major venues throughout the world. Solo highlights this season included a concert with the London Sinfonietta at the Proms.

Mr van de Wiel has recorded chamber music for EMI, ASV, NMC and Finlandia records, and as a soloist for Olympia and NMC.

His services to music have been recognised with an Honorary Associateship from the Royal Academy of Music, where he is a Professor, and with an Honorary Doctorate from Northampton University.

Mr van de Wiel will be accompanied by the fine Hungarian pianist,

Associate Professor of the Liszt Academy of Music

Hilda Hernádi

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Ari & László introducing the artists of the evening

Mark van de Wiel

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Hilda Hernádi & Mark van de Wiel

Fantastic concert!

Mark is an excellent artist and performer.

The program was extremely well chosen:

Easily digestived appetizer

Delicious main course

Sparkling dessert

Rossini: Lady by the lake

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Also an exhibition of paintings by Edit Dunai

(can be seen in some of the pics)

She uses lots of blue colours in different shades.

Water and clouds are the main elements in her paintings.

- not really my type of paintings

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Ari's beautiful setting of antiques

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Love the golden beige curtains!

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http://www.asksalonconcert.com/