Zoltán Kodály: Norwegian Girls
Based on a poem by Hungarian author Sándor Weöres, this choral work was composed in 1940 following the German occupation of Norway. When poet Sándor Weöres recalled the circumstances surrounding the creation of the poem and the choral piece, he wrote: “During my travels in Norway, I often and recurringly saw girls walking in almost constant drizzle wearing raincoats of all colours including red, green, yellow, blue.”
Britten: Five Flower Songs, Op. 47
Britten’s choral cycle of 1950 features music composed for poems exhibiting the name of a flower or a floral metaphor. Britten wrote this composition as a gift for Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst’s 25th wedding anniversary. Both members of the couple were botanists and they naturally adored flowers. In addition, the couple – in their capacity as agricultural engineers – was involved in advancing underdeveloped regions, for example in India.
Herbert Howells: Requiem
The English composer Herbert Howells (1892-1983) was active as both an organist and music teacher. In addition, he was particularly prolific in the field of Anglican church music as a composer. Written in 1932 but not published until 1980, ‘Requiem’ is one of Howells’ most personal works.
Kodály: Too Late
Hungarian poet Endre Ady’s poem entitled ‘Too Late’ is – in Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály’s words – a fine example of pessimism that spurs action, and can be interpreted as the manifestation of a responsible literary figure who loves his nation and reprehends it. The musical characteristics of the piece include excellent prosody, masterfully constructed climaxes, and the evocation of lethargy through tonal notations and an unusual Locrian final chord.
Kodály: Annie Miller (Molnár Anna)
Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály’s “ballad ‘Annie Miller’ belongs to that rare type of music which, beyond music itself, is about life. It is a ‘dramatic musical work’ which, even without the ingenuity of stage directors, could be performed at any time, even in a rehearsal room, with great success”. These are the words the first conductor of the choral version of the ballad Zoltán Vásárhelyi used to describe Kodály’s composition.
Francis Poulenc: Sept chansons
This choral cycle by Poulenc, composed in the spring of 1936, was dedicated to the Chanteurs de Lyon vocal ensemble as well as to André and Suzanne Latarget. The premiere (in 1937) took place under unusual circumstances: the publisher of Apollinaire’s writings did not consent to the poems being performed to music. Given this situation, Poulenc did not alter the music of the two movements, but instead asked a poet to write lines that would fit perfectly with the music he had already composed. The quality of the composition eventually won the publisher over, who agreed to publishing the score of the piece in 1943 in line with the original plans.
Bartók: Hungarian Folk Songs
Hungarian composer Bartók wrote pieces of this musical genre primarily when commissioned. Featuring among his orchestral works considered more important by him, the difficult and daring ‘Hungarian Folk Songs’ (1930) for mixed choir was also composed on commission.
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Béni Csillag and Hungarian Radio Choir
Tuesday 14., 7:30 PM
Pesti Vigadó
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