Zoltán Kodály

No composer was more in tune with the folk music of his country than Kodály in Hungary. He was born at Kecskemét on 16 December 1882 and was from time to time involved in projects for Hungarian music with his compatriot Béla Bartók. Kodály has left amongst a lot of music two works that are for ever popular: Psalmus Hungaricus and the orchestral suite from his opera Hary Janos. Kodály's life ended in Budapest on 6 March 1967.

 

A selection of articles about Zoltán Kodály

A Crack in Time? - A rare Leap Day editorial from Keith Bramich

Ensemble. Propulsive Energy and Contemplative Interludes - Mike Wheeler listens to the Coull Quartet

CD Spotlight. Lovely and Very Effective - Music from Central and Eastern Europe for cello and piano, recommended by Geoff Pearce. '... very gifted, skilful and inspired ...'

Ensemble. Backwards and Forwards - Mike Wheeler rounds up his coverage of the 2021 Buxton Festival with concerts by Sarah Connoly, Roderick Williams and Natalie Clein

Ensemble. Satisfyingly Unexpected - Mike Wheeler listens to Grieg, Clara Schumann, Kodály and Mozart from Frank Zielhorst and Sinfonia Viva

Portraits. Zoltán Kodály: Part II - by Anett Fodor

Portraits. Zoltán Kodály: Part I - From the Academy to His First Success, by Anett Fodor

CD Spotlight. Extending the Repertoire - Anett Fodor listens to Hungarian viola player Vidor Nagy. 'The mellifluous sound, the doleful melody, as well as Vidor Nagy's sensitive performance convince the listener that both the artist and instrument are worthy of recognition.'

CD Spotlight. Marvellous Stuff - Orchestral music by Zoltán Kodály, recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... memorably performed and recorded ...'

Ensemble. The Romantic Connection - Kodály, Glass and Bruckner, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Rendered in Masterly Fashion - An anthology of twentieth century music impresses Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Bright Idea - Sinfonia Viva players at Derby Folk Festival impress Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Depth and Elegance - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the Printemps des Arts in Monte Carlo

Ensemble. Full Value - The Vienna Tonkünstler Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Searingly Passionate - Katherine Jenkinson and Ning Kam open Derby Chamber Music's new season, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Sensitive Understanding - Music by Kodály and Dohnányi, heard by Robert Anderson. '... the orchestra captures with apparent ease the seductive idiom of this music.'

CD Spotlight. Exemplary Fashion - Francis Gouton's solo cello, heard by Howard Smith. '... a richly nuanced Gallic flair and beautiful tonal capabilities ...'

DVD Spotlight. Admirable Intentions - Gillian Rogell teaches chamber music, observed by Howard Smith. 'It's all fairly basic stuff ...'

CD Spotlight. Many Levels - Chamber music by Mozart and Smetana, heard by Howard Smith. '... judged to perfection ...'

DVD Spotlight. Ho hum! - Vidor Nagy plays Bach and Paganini, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... moments of splendour.'

CD Spotlight. Exciting Listening - Mykola Suk plays Liszt, enjoyed by Robert Anderson. '... a mastery and range of expression ...'

Masks - Jennifer Paull continues her investigation of musical and theatrical masks

Masks - Jennifer Paull investigates a layering of musical and theatrical masks, with the omnipresent eerie reminder of the gas mask

CD Spotlight. Sterling Playing - Wendy Warner's interpretations of Popper and Piatigorsky, heard by Howard Smith. '... sovereign music-making deserving of the highest accolades.'

The Philosophy of Absence - Jennifer Paull investigates four releases of Cage's Number Pieces

Ask Alice - On orchestral horn solos and funding cuts, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

CD Spotlight. Virtuoso Duo - Performances by the Elaris Duo, recommended by Malcolm Tattersall. '... all the passion, drama and integrity one could want.'

CD Spotlight. Poetic Lyricism - Tim Hugh and Olga Sitkovetsky at London's Wigmore Hall, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... breathtaking musicianship captured my attention ...'

Expressive Power - A recital by cellist Tim Hugh impresses Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Unrivalled - János Starker plays Bartók, Boccherini, Kodály, Mozart and Leo Weiner, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... instrumental artistry at its finest.'

Ensemble. Primal Energy - Barenboim and the Vienna Philharmonic play Bartók, Kodály, Enescu and Ligeti

Special gifts - Rex Harley describes a magical concert experienced during a chance visit to the Leamington Festival

International forum - Patric Standford reports from the 2nd International Composers' Competition 'In memoriam Zoltán Kodály'

Profile - music all the time. Bill Newman becomes reacquainted with young French cellist Gautier Capuçon