Ensemble brings a taste of Hungary to hungry public

North County Times, January 17, 2007.

The role of the Hungarian Heritage House hasn't changed in five decades. Through communism and democracy, the group exists to reinforce Hungary's national identity.

Maria Ferencz serves as managing director of the institution, and one of her most satisfying duties is overseeing the group that carries the nation's cultural flag across the world -- the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble.

"We are proud to be ambassadors", Ferencz said from a noisy tour bus with more than 50 singers, dancers and musicians cruising through the American Southwest. This fifth visit to the U.S. since their inception finds the group performing in new venues, including Saturday's performance at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts.

Since its establishment in 1951, the group continues a schedule that includes 100 concerts in its Hungarian home while maintaining a busy global itinerary. On its current tour the group's two musical ensembles, the Folk Orchestra and the Gypsy Orchestra, will join forces." Normally, they play separately," Ferencz said. In honor of Bela Bartok's recent 200th birthday anniversary, the latter half of the program will showcase the composer's work. The two lead violinists weave their countryman's famed violin solos on several occasions. "It's beautiful, like a conversation of violins."

Filling their traditional roles during the performance, the Folk Orchestra supports the dancers, whose choreography dates back centuries. The Gypsy Orchestra performs its five-person orchestrations. Among them is another countryman's work -- Franz Liszt -- whose catalog, Ferencz said, is heavily influenced by Hungarian folk music. "It is his legacy," she said of the composer's ability to transcend Hungarian folk and classical music. "He is just one, but we are so proud of all of the composers from Hungary."

The group's legacy goes beyond the music they perform. The Hungarian Folk Ensemble is also charged with the archiving of the music and dance heritage of their homeland. "We look to perform, but also cultivate," Ferencz said.

She is thrilled with the latest technology because their half-century of work will soon be available to access universally. "We are working on digitalizing everything we have, so very soon you can use our database to listen or to copy any music from this rich heritage."

Fans sure to bring heavy traffic to that Web site are expatriate Hungarians, who flock to the Folk Ensemble's international performances for what prove to be emotional encounters.

"There are lots of them. I met a lady yesterday who was almost in tears because for her the concert was one of the nicest days she felt in years since she left Hungary," Ferencz said.

After visiting four continents and 44 countries throughout its history, the group has had the good fortune of sharing moments with countless people longing for a piece of home, crowds of people who left their country for religious, personal or economic reasons to make a better life.

"They are proud of the culture. When they are listening to the music, you can see it. They are so proud. It makes people so happy. I like to think we bring a little part of their life that they left when they decided to change their country. It's difficult to forget homeland. The tree is growing in so many directions, but the root is there. All these people have their roots in Hungary when they left and it is something you can never forget."

From each costumer, dancer and musician to Ferencz, the woman responsible for spreading Hungarian goodwill, this is a responsibility the entire ensemble takes seriously. It is not simply Hungarians with whom they are sharing their art.

"It's great to bring this to everyone. It is a fantastic feeling," Ferencz said. "It is our mission. We are the ambassadors of Hungarian folklore, but we are also the conscience of Hungary."

JOEL D. AMOS