Description
Book SynopsisHungarian composer and musician Zoltán Kodály (18821967)is best known for his pedagogical system, the Kodály Method, which has been influential in the development of music education around the world. Author Anna Dalos considers, for the first time in publication, Kodály's career beyond the classroom and provides a comprehensive assessment of his works as a composer. A noted collector of Hungarian folk music, Kodály adapted thetraditional heritage musics inhis own compositions, greatly influencing the work of his contemporary, Béla Bartók. Highlighting Kodály's major music experiences, Dalos shows how his musical works were also inspired by Brahms, Wagner, Debussy, Palestrina, and Bach. Set against the backdrop of various oppressive regimes of twentieth-century Europe, this study of Kodály's careeralso explores decisive, extramusical impulses,such as hisbitter experiences of World War I, Kodály's reception of classical antiquity, and his interpretation of the male and female roles in his music. Written by the leading Kodály expert, this impressive work of historical and musical insight provides a timely and much-needed English-language treatment of the twentieth-century composer.
Trade Review"This book is a major contribution to the growing English-language literature on Hungarian music-history . . . Dalos, with her excellent command of English and expansive knowledge of Kodály’s role in Hungarian music-history, is an ideal scholar to re-introduce Kodály to the English-speaking world as one of the great classical composers and minds of the twentieth century."
* Hungarian Cultural Studies *
"The great merit of Dalos’s extremely informative and readable book is to bring Kodály out of his shadowy existence as 'Bartók’s little-known, almost mysterious companion'... Since the book not only represents an enormous scholarly gain but is also eminently suitable for pedagogical purposes, it is certain to be widely received." * Studia Musicologica *
"This book will be of particular interest to musicologists and those interested in aspects of Kodály’s life that are not yet as celebrated internationally, but which remained a major impetus for his commitment to a better music education in Hungary." * Journal of the History of Music Education *
Table of ContentsIllustrations and Tables
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Zoltán Kodály's Path
2. Kodály the Brahmin: The Beginning of the Composer's Career
3. A Paradigm Shift: The Reinterpretation of the Folk Song Concept
4. Finding the Voice of His "Deepest Inner Self": The Case of String Quartet No. 1
5. Commentaries on Debussy: Kodály's Turn toward Western Modernity
6. Nausicaa, Sappho, and Other Women in Love: Women and Modernism in Kodály's Songs
7. "From These Times of War": The Case of String Quartet No. 2
8. Reflections of a Nonpolitical Man: Kodály after the Trianon Treaty (1920)
9. An Encounter with a Young Man:
The Peacock Variations 10. Palestrina in Budapest: Kodály's Views on Church Music
11. Why Jeppesen?: Kodály's Readings on Counterpoint
12. Hungarian Counterpoint: Contrapuntal Technique in Kodály's Works
13. The Art of Fugue: About Kodály's Concerto
14. A Symphonic Self-Portrait: The Last Years
Epilogue
Chronology of the Life of Zoltán Kodály
Notes
Bibliography
General Index
Index of Kodály's Works
