January 18, 2024 The Compositions of Ludovico Einaudi at Kálnoky Castle

The new concert series will debut on January 18th with excerpts from the repertoire of Ludovico Einaudi, an Italian composer and pianist who has incorporated a variety of musical genres such as pop, rock, folk, and ethnic music into classical music.

The first concert will be held by Diana Ichim, a first-year doctoral student at the University of Transylvania in Brașov, an artist with vast recital experience in Romania and internationally, including in the United Arab Emirates, Bulgaria, Mongolia, China, and Cuba. She represented Romania at Expo2020 Dubai, where she performed at the Romania Pavilion and Jubilee Park, and also opened the Vatican's Christmas Concert at the Holy See Pavilion.

Diana also had the honor of performing a recital at the inauguration of the second Steinway & Sons piano at the University of Transylvania in Brașov and is the pianist of the University’s Chamber Orchestra, with a diverse repertoire. Diana opened the 2020-2021 concert season at the University of Transylvania with an online recital, broadcast by the Music Center and later picked up by the Romanian Cultural Institute in London. In parallel, she is studying harpsichord and is in her 4th year of the Music Interpretation program at the Faculty of Music in Brașov. She has performed numerous harpsichord and chamber music recitals and participated in masterclasses both in Romania and abroad. Diana believes that the study of both instruments, the piano and the harpsichord, complement each other and help her to build a dual career in music.

On 1st of Fbruary, action movie lovers will enjoy excerpts from the soundtrack of James Bond action films, which have dominated the world of cinema for the last half-century.

On February 14th, for Valentine's Day, Bridgerton series fans will enjoy unique music, as the soundtrack of the famous series incorporates both classical music from renowned composers Haydn and Mozart and classical reinterpretations of pop and rock songs.

On March 8th , for International Women's Day, the Ladies Special concert will be dedicated to young ladies and women who wish to spend a memorable evening at the castle. On March 22nd, music takes on a dramatic tone with a unique repertoire from "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, composed by the famous Canadian conductor and composer, Howard Shore.

In April, the music from The Fabulous Destiny of Amélie Poulain, composed by Yann Tiersen, known for his avant-garde and minimalist compositions, returns to the castle. On April 19th, concerts will be dedicated to Bach and Pergolesi, the most important representative of Italian Baroque music.

The second series of Candleglow Castle Concerts will end on May 3rd with music from the repertoire of famous jazz and blues singers Etta James, Nina Simone, and Norah Jones.

"An intimate musical experience within the walls of a Transylvanian castle, lit by the warm glow of candles, simply magical," is how Count Tibor Kálnoky describes these concerts, which offer guests not only the opportunity to enjoy the performances of musicians in a historical setting but also the chance to take part in the revival of a noble family's tradition of hospitality, who manage the castle.

Candleglow Castle Concerts combine classical music in a modern interpretation within the backdrop of history and the architectural charm of the castle. The concerts take place on Saturdays, every two weeks, in the castle's wine cellar, a magical place, lit by candles for this occasion to intensify the romantic and Renaissance atmosphere of the place.

The events will bring together locals, guests, and tourists, offering a unique experience where high-quality music and the historical atmosphere harmonize. Whether guests choose the afternoon concert option, with a relaxed atmosphere and Prosecco at 16:00, or the evening option, with a festive dinner featuring a menu specific to the Transylvanian region at 19:00, each event promises to provide a memorable experience.

The Candleglow Castle Concerts offer a unique cultural and tourist alternative in the Covasna area, with Kálnoky Castle being a place where tradition and modernity merge to create unforgettable experiences. This initiative is part of the rebranding strategy for the castle, managed by the Kálnoky Foundation, which aims to become a center for community and cultural life in the region, a space for Art, and also for social gatherings.

The history of Kálnoky Castle transformed into the Museum of Transylvanian life

The history of the Kalnoky family, spanning over five centuries, is presented through a unique collection of historical objects: from weapons used in battles with the Turks to period furniture and a Streicher piano, similar to the one used by composer Johannes Brahms.

The museum occupies the ground floor of the former hunting manor and offers an insight into the lifestyle of Transylvanian nobles. Among the most impressive rooms are "The Lady’s House," which displays the daily life of a lady from the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods, and a special corner dedicated to embroidery and reading. In contrast, "The Master's House" showcases weapons and Turkish carpets, evoking the atmosphere of past battles and conquests. The castle’s wine cellar, where the Candleglow Castle Concerts take place, has been transformed into a space for festive meals, faithfully recreating the atmosphere of an 18th-century castle kitchen.

Built-in 1645 and renovated while preserving its original Renaissance style (the Museum foundation project was carried out between 2014 and 2017, funded by the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area and the Government of Romania), Kálnoky Castle is not only the host of these cultural events, but also a symbol of Transylvanian history. The castle houses the Museum of Transylvanian Life, an impressive exhibition that reconstructs the noble life of past centuries. In this regard, collection objects, period furniture, donated chests and carpets, and spectacular stoves and period costumes have been recovered or purchased.