Annual Concert Hungarian Cultural Garden June 20, 2026
The Hungarian Cultural Garden is one of over 40 ethnic gardens in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. Each year the Hungarian Cultural Garden puts on a free performance for the community featuring the music of Franz Liszt and others. The concert was led by Vera Holczer-Waroquet from the Aurora School of Music. Vera is a native of Budapest.
Vera Holczer-Waroquet
Note: As always, we reduced the resolution of the photos for speedy web loading so if you want high-resolution copies, let us know.
After welcoming the crowd and explaining the evening's flow, Vera introduced Brian Harper who performed Waldenrauschen (In the Woods) on piano. Watch the video.
Brian Harper
Next was Franz Liszt's 'Oh! Quand je dors' sung by soprano Alex Hanhold.
Alex Hanhold
Then student Brendan Bennett playing Franz Liszt's Liebestraum No. 3 and Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6.
Brendan Bennett
Then Donna Oberlin joined Vera to perform Johannes Brahms' Hungarian Dances No. 5 - Piano with 4 Hands.
Donna Oberlin
Vera Holczer and Donna Oberlin
The next performance was Pablo de Sarasate's Zigeunerweisen (Gypsy Airs) which are adaptations of Hungarian folk melodies, including a theme from Franz Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 13. Played by student Cole Krajewski.
***
Want to learn about ethnic and cultural events like Liszt in the Hungarian Cultural Garden? Sign up for the free eNews and every Tuesday evening you will receive a free e-mail listing the next week's events. It's easy and free.
Next, the youngest students performed. 6 year old Blossom Canaday played a Folk Dance by Bartok. Then, 8 year old Frederick Hong played Bartok's For Children No.5 and No. 7. Then young Luke Lekic played Bartok's For Children No.10 and No. 20-21. Then 11 year old Michelle Kim played Bartok's For Children No.29 and No. 38.
Blossom Canaday
Frederick Hong
Luke Lekic
Michelle Kim
Then Vera Holczer performed Bartok's Bagpipe Melodies and Evening at the Country Side.
Vera Holczer
Then, Justin Wisner performed Bela Bartok's Romanian Dances on clarinet.
Justin Wisner
Then, Abby Becker sung Janos Brody and Zsuzsa Koncz's Ha En Rozsa Volnek in Hungarian (even though she doesn't speak Hungarian!)
Abby Becker
Vera Holczer and Abby Becker
The final performance was Janos Brody's Hungarian Blues by Vera on vocal, her husband on guitar and Theresamarie Banks on bass and percussion.
Theresamarie Banks
Hungarian Cultural Garden President Ron Kovach thanks the performers and presented flowers to Vera Holczer.
Ron Kovach
Vera Holczer and Ron Kovach
In conclusion, there were remarks from special guest Lazslo Aradvari representing the Consulate General of Hungary in Chicago.
Lazslo Aradvari
The Hungarian Cultural Garden was the perfect showcase for these talented performers.
Artists of the Aurora School of Music led by Vera Holczer-Waroquet.
