Folk Music of Hungary

Fülszöveg

Zoltun Kodály
Folh Music oflíunyftry
The study of Hungárián folk music by the famous Hungárián composer and musicologist Zoltán Kodály was greeted on the publication of the first English edition as a fascinating and authoritative work and a model of folksong studies. As the Times Literary Supplement wrote, "To those interested in folksongs and the congruent social and a ethnological studies it is of a value and interest not easy to exaggerate." Before his death Kodály had made extensive notes for a revised edition; these are incorporated in the present edition which has been prepared by his ex-pupil, Professor Vargyas, himself a distinguished musicologist. Hungary's migrant history and peculiar geographical position give the country and its people a special significance in folk art, and account for the riches of its folk music as a subject of study. Much has been done to record and analyse Hungárián folk music in systematic fashion, and the preliminary work of detecting and... Tovább

Fülszöveg

Zoltun Kodály
Folh Music oflíunyftry
The study of Hungárián folk music by the famous Hungárián composer and musicologist Zoltán Kodály was greeted on the publication of the first English edition as a fascinating and authoritative work and a model of folksong studies. As the Times Literary Supplement wrote, "To those interested in folksongs and the congruent social and a ethnological studies it is of a value and interest not easy to exaggerate." Before his death Kodály had made extensive notes for a revised edition; these are incorporated in the present edition which has been prepared by his ex-pupil, Professor Vargyas, himself a distinguished musicologist. Hungary's migrant history and peculiar geographical position give the country and its people a special significance in folk art, and account for the riches of its folk music as a subject of study. Much has been done to record and analyse Hungárián folk music in systematic fashion, and the preliminary work of detecting and clearing the overlay of art-song and last-century ballad music has been arduous—
not to mention the labour of breaking down the prejudice that it was music created by gipsies. Scholars are now able to see clear outlines of the originál music, and to isolate geographical, linguistic and musical influences. The book discussed the oldest-known tune-construction and use of the pentatonic (or five-note) scale, and traces their evolution through more recent melodic forms, both sacred and secular.
Beginning with the meaning and function of oral tradition, the author discusses popular art-song and the old song-tradition, then gives a history of tune-collecting and the difficulties that had to be overcome. The second chapter analyses the primitive stratum of Hungárián folk music, from which the 'new style' was derived. There are chapters on Children's Songs and 'Regös' Songs; Laments; and Instrumental Music. The chapters on Interrelations in Folk Music, Traces of Art Music, and Folk Tradition and Musical Culture are of important generál interest.
Peasant instruments are described in detail, and the words of the songs are given in English translation. The book is illustrated with 19 photographs of musical instruments, and over 200 music examples.
l, Vissza