A concert of musical essences
On 20 September 2026, the Museu de Belles Arts de Valencia will host a unique concert as part of the 48th Ensems Festival, Spain’s oldest contemporary music event. Saxophonist Xelo Giner will present a programme inspired by the work of Hungarian composer György Kurtág, marking his centenary. The repertoire includes saxophone adaptations of Signs, Games and Messages (1997–2001), a collection of micro-pieces that distil emotions and memories into brief, concentrated structures.
Giner, who met Kurtág in Budapest in 2016 and 2019, explores in this concert the spiritual connection between the composer’s universe and her own interpretation. The programme also features world premieres of works composed specifically for this occasion by Valencian composers Inés Bádalo, Carlos David Perales, Joan Gómez, and Stefano Scarani, who engage with Kurtág’s legacy from a contemporary perspective.
The Ensems Festival 2026
This concert is part of the 48th Ensems Festival, taking place in Valencia from 17 to 27 September 2026. Organised by the Centre de Performing Arts Les Arts, the festival is a benchmark in contemporary music, offering a programme that blends concerts, participatory activities, and interdisciplinary proposals across various venues in the city.
For more details about the venue, check the Museu de Belles Arts fact sheet.
