Budapest: Sounds to Remember
For the first time in over two decades, The Cleveland Orchestra returned to the glorious acoustics of Béla Bartók National Concert Hall.
Some concert halls leave a lasting impression long after the final note has faded.
When asked about the last time The Cleveland Orchestra played in Budapest, First Assistant Principal Cello Richard Weiss was quick to discuss the acoustics.
In 2005, the Orchestra performed at the newly opened Béla Bartók National Concert Hall, the centerpiece of the Müpa Budapest arts complex. The acoustics of the hall were designed by renowned acoustic architect Russell Johnson to serve the needs of both musicians and audiences. Weiss vividly remembered those well-designed sonic properties as he returned to the hall more than 20 years later.
For musicians, a concert hall’s acoustics can make all the difference. They shape how well players hear one another, how their instruments blend together, and how the music reaches the audience. For a cellist like Weiss, the right acoustics help bring out the instrument’s full, warm sound and expressive character.
Budapest on October 13, 2026
