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We suggest works to explore after Kodály’s Háry János suite
Don’t just stop at the orchestral suite of Háry János, as the whole opera is well worth investigating. ‘Opera’ is, however, admittedly a bit of a loose term for what is essentially a narrated story with songs and orchestral interludes. The tale is as rib-tickling as it is charming, and hearing the narration only serves to highlight Kodály’s skill as a musical scene-painter. (Peter Ustinov (narrator) et al; Lso/istván Kertesz Decca ELQ480 6814).
Similarly stirring deeds can be enjoyed in Kossuth, a 1903 symphonic poem by Kodály’s Hungarian compatriot Bartók. Here, we follow the escapades of the Hungarian hero Lajos Kossuth, who led the fight against the ruling Austrians at the time of the 1848 revolutions across Europe. Movements with titles such as ‘To the battlefield!’ and ‘Come, oh come, ye haughty warriors!’ should give a good idea of what lies in store. (Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra/joann Falletta Naxos 8.573307).
Like Kodály, Ernó Dohnanyi was invited to compose a piece for the 50th anniversary of the union of Buda and Pest. The resulting Ruralia Hungarica was originally written for solo piano but then orchestrated by the composer.
Its five movements take us on an engaging journey through Hungarian folk music, with inspirations ranging from dazzling dances to children’s songs and instruments such as the tam-tam and celesta adding plenty of colour. (Danubia So/domonkos Héja
Warner Classics 2564624092).
The Budapest-born Leó Weiner is better known today as the teacher of conductors such as Fritz Reiner and Georg Solti than he is as a composer. Do, however, try his Toldi, an epic-scale symphonic poem from 1952. In this instance, our eponymous hero is Miklós Toldi, a knight who served in the army of Hungary’s King Louis the Great in the 14th century. (Miskolc So/laszlo Kovacs Hungaroton HCD32608).
Finally, should you be inspired by the sound of the cimbalom in the ‘Intermezzo’ of Háry János, check out the mastery of the instrument displayed by Ernest Bangó on Lakatos, the debut album by folk violinist Roby Lakatos and his band, recorded in 1999. Works such as Brahms’s Hungarian Dances Nos 5 & 6, Monti’s Czardas and Kodály’s Kállai Kettös give Bangó plenty of opportunity to strut his stuff. (Deutsche Grammophon 457 8792).
Movement titles such as ‘To the battlefield!’ give a good idea of what’s in store