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 (6:30 PM and 9:00 PM), offering audiences the chance to experience these unique musical dialogues from different perspectives.

The third evening centers on the meeting of Cseke Gábor and Maria Schneider. Maria Schneider is one of the defining figures of contemporary big band music. Her compositions are known for their extraordinary orchestral sensitivity, organic sense of form, and powerful emotional arcs. Her music often unfolds like sonic landscapes, filled with subtle dynamics and rich textures. As both composer and performer, Cseke Gábor is recognized for his sensitivity to detail, balancing complex structures with freer improvisational thinking. This concert promises an especially rich and nuanced world of sound, where the big band can sometimes achieve the intimacy and delicacy of chamber music.