MAO meets the masters! | Szabó Illés meets Pat Metheny

Pat Metheny’s Musical Universe in a Large Ensemble Perspective

The second concert brings together Szabó Illés and the rich, multi-layered musical universe of Pat Metheny. Szabó Illés is one of the versatile voices of the younger Hungarian jazz generation, active as a guitarist, composer, and arranger. Winner of the 2021 Big Band Composer Competition of the Hungarian Jazz Federation, he studied at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music and the Conservatorium van Amsterdam.

Pat Metheny is one of the broadest musical horizons in contemporary jazz. His music combines lyrical melodic writing, atmospheric textures, and groove-oriented thinking while constantly expanding the boundaries of the genre. His compositions are both accessible and complex, immediate yet deeply crafted.

A special feature of the concert is that Metheny’s compositions will be performed in large ensemble arrangements created by the outstanding Bob Curnow and Szabó Illés. The original pieces appear in a new orchestral light while preserving the unmistakable atmosphere of Metheny’s musical world.

MAO meets the masters! – the Autumn Concert Series of the Modern Art Orchestra

What happens when a composer truly encounters the artists who shaped their musical thinking? They do not simply quote or imitate them — they question, reflect, and continue the conversation.

MAO meets the masters! is the autumn concert series of the Modern Art Orchestra, bringing these deeply personal and artistic encounters to life. Closely connected composers and arrangers of the orchestra enter into dialogue with internationally acclaimed masters — not merely as a tribute, but as a living contemporary reflection.

The iconic figures of big band history appear here as sources of inspiration, while today’s composers speak in their own voice. Familiar musical languages meet new ideas, and past and present illuminate one another.

Each evening features two performances at 6:30 PM and 9:00 PM, offering audiences the chance to experience these unique musical dialogues from different perspectives.

The MAO meets the masters! Autumn 2026 concert series:

24 September 2026, 6:30 PM – MAO meets the masters! | Fekete-Kovács meets Bob Brookmeyer
24 September 2026, 9:00 PM – MAO meets the masters! | Fekete-Kovács meets Bob Brookmeyer

21 October 2026, 6:30 PM – MAO meets the masters! | Szabó Illés meets Pat Metheny
21 October 2026, 9:00 PM – MAO meets the masters! | Szabó Illés meets Pat Metheny

25 November 2026, 6:30 PM – MAO meets the masters! | Cseke Gábor meets Maria Schneider
25 November 2026, 9:00 PM – MAO meets the masters! | Cseke Gábor meets Maria Schneider

17 December 2026, 6:30 PM – MAO meets the masters! | Korb Attila meets Thad Jones
17 December 2026, 9:00 PM – MAO meets the masters! | Korb Attila meets Thad Jones