Zoltán Gárdonyi

Life and work

Gárdonyi was born in Budapest. His mother, the pianist Maria Weigl, studied at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music with Liszt's pupil, István Thomán, at the same time as Béla Bartók. At the age of 17, Gárdonyi began his studies in composition with Zoltán Kodály at the Academy. After studying with Paul Hindemith and Arnold Schering in Berlin, he worked as a professor at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music from 1941 until 1967. He also led the faculty for Protestant sacred music until it was closed by the communists in 1949.

His oeuvre includes sacred music, orchestral works and chamber music. Three of his motets for choir a cappella were published in German by Schott, "Finnisches Busslied", "Der Herr ist mein Hirte" (Psalm 23) and "Singet dem Herren" (Psalm 96). Gárdonyi's musicological research yielded findings related to Bach and Liszt. His works were published in Germany, Sweden and the United States. Gárdonyi lived in Germany with his family beginning in 1972. He died in Herford a few weeks after his 80th birthday.

His son is the composer and concert organist Zsolt Gárdonyi.

Performances and recordings

Some of Gárdonyi's works were recorded, including three organ sonatas and the Partita sopra Veni Creator Spiritus, played by Dezső Karasszon, and Szvit-regi stilusban (Suite No. 1 in old style). The Partita is a symphonic work, introduction (Largo), theme (Lento), four variations and finale (Allegro maestoso), based on Martin Luther's hymn for Pentecost "Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist".

Publications

Editions

Zoltán Gárdonyi edited the Hungarian Rhapsodies by Franz Liszt for the Editio Musica Budapest.

Selected works

Orchestral

Concertante

1. Der Gang an den Ölberg (Walk to the Mount of Olives)
2. Gethsemane
3. Golgatha

Chamber music

1. Reigen (Körtánc)
2. Mädchentanz (Leánytánc)

Organ

1. Ein feste Burg
2. Mit Freuden zart
3. Finnisches Bußlied

Piano

Vocal

Choral

1. Psalm 96
2. Finnisches Bußlied
3. Psalm 23

Literature