Szabó: Complete Solo Piano Works

Balog, József

97104

Csaba Szabó (1936-2003), Hungarian composer and musicologist, was born in Ákosfalva, Transylvania (Romania). Until today, the majority of Romania's ethnic Hungarian minority lives in areas that were formerly part of Hungary, e.g. in Transylvania, like Csaba Szabó. He graduated as a composer under the tutelage of the Zoltán Kodály students Gábor Jodál and János Jagamas at the G. Dima Academy of Music in Cluj, Romania. He began his career as a conductor and composer of the State Szekler Folk Ensemble of Târgu Mures (Hungarian: Marosvásárhely), Romania. Later he became a teacher of music theory, music history and the rhythm and intonation of Hungarian speech at the István Szentgyörgyi Theater Institute in the same city. In 1987, when Szabó informed the relevant Romanian authorities that he wished to move his residence to Hungary, he was suspended from his position at the college and his works were deleted from the national repertoire. After his relocation, he was a teacher at the Dániel Berzsenyi College in Szombathely, Hungary, from 1988 until his death.".

Given his background it is no wonder that Szabó as a composer was deeply influenced by the Folklore and Folk Music of his Hungarian roots, incorporating them into his own personal musical language.

The piano pieces were composed over a period of almost three decades, between 1955 and 1981, and it is striking to note the extraordinary transformations in form, technique and richness of emotion that the composer's style has undergone. He is open to all influences that 20-th century music offer, and makes full use of the tonal and percussive possibilities of the piano.

Played by Hungarian pianist József Balog, whose brilliant technique and sensitive, profound musicianship have won him critical acclaim and the enthusiasm of the audience.

Works:

•Csaba Szabo: Baroque Rondo; Etüde "Vivace e Trio"
•Csaba Szabo: 5 Variationen
•Csaba Szabo: Scherzando
•Csaba Szabo: Bagatelle "The Last Scenes of Carnival"
•Csaba Szabo: Little Suite; 4 Miniatures
•Csaba Szabo: Dance with the Fate
•Csaba Szabo: Parlando, Giusto e Corale
•Csaba Szabo: Roaming Tune
•Csaba Szabo: 8 Bartok-Variationen "Moving away"

CD

Muzyka klasyczna

Brilliant Classics

02-11-2023

5028421971049