For the first time, an Ecuadorian orchestra featured a piece by Peter Eötvös: the Ecuador National Symphony Orchestra performed Speaking Drums on March 21, 2025, in honour of the Hungarian composer, music educator, and conductor. The event was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Embassy of Hungary in Quito, and Gedeon Richter Ecuador S.A.
Eötvös's work, a piece written for solo percussion, is already considered a rarity. According to the composer's intention, each percussionist interprets the "verses" written for the piece in their own way, using their imagination, making each performance unique and unrepeatable. At Quito's Capitol Theatre, a full house of 600 people was captivated by Speaking Drums, which was performed as the closing piece of the Ecuador National Symphony Orchestra's Rhapsodies concert conducted by Yury Sobolev. The modern piece, primarily played in European music competitions, surprised the audience go used to classical symphonic music and local cultural influencers, sparking interest in Eötvös's work and the world of Hungarian contemporary music.
The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, key figures of Quito's cultural life, members of the SH Alumni network, and the local Hungarian community, as well as guests invited by Gedeon Richter Ecuador. Besides the unique experience provided by the concert, Eötvös's work remains in the Ecuadorian National Symphony Orchestra's repertoire as part of Hungary's intellectual cultural heritage.
