Encounters captures more than a decade of Duo Sera’s artistic work, presents a unique segment of Hungarian contemporary music. Since its founding, the duo has been deeply committed to collaborating with Hungarian composers, premiering numerous works written specifically for them. Exclusively Available in Pure DSD 256 Stereo at NativeDSD.

The concept of the newly released album was inspired by their early concert series titled Encounters, where Renaissance songs and contemporary works were performed side by side, creating exciting dialogues between past and present. During the concerts the short songs by John Dowland functioned as transitions – musical “neutral zones” that helped audiences engage more easily with the contemporary pieces. This principle has been preserved on the album as well: by placing the works side by side, the program offers contrasts in genre and mood, as well as reflections and multiple layers of interpretation.

The composers featured on the album – Máté Balogh, Bálint Bolcsó, Barnabás Dukay, Márton Illés, Péter Tornyai, András Gábor Virágh, and Mátyás Wettl – are among the most prominent and acclaimed figures of Hungarian contemporary music. Their compositions, shaped by markedly different musical approaches, act as doors and windows through which listeners can enter distinct artistic universes.

The selection of works on this recording reflects not only the duo’s artistic identity but also functions as a musical diary – an anthology of memories and experiences gathered from their performances across different countries and contexts. The aim of the album is to preserve these moments and to share them with those who are already familiar with Duo Sera’s work, as well as with new audiences.

In addition to the duo pieces, this album also includes two solo works: a hymn by Hildegard von Bingen, transcribed for saxophone, and a sound poem written for harp by Barnabás Dukay. This album is not merely a recording, but a kind of artistic synthesis that builds a bridge between tradition and innovation. Its uniquely structured program conveys a deeply personal yet universally resonant musical message. The diversity of the works featured, the duo’s mature interpretive style, and the thoughtfully curated structure together result in an album that faithfully represents the living and evolving reality of contemporary Hungarian music.

Duo Sera