Zoltán Kodály

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Biography

Born: December 16, 1882; Kecskemét, Hungary   Died: March 6, 1967; Budapest, Hungary  
Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály is today remembered as much for his contributions to the fields of ethnomusicology and music education as he is for his own musical creations. Born in 1881, Kodály was the son of a local railway station master and amateur violinist who provided a rich musical environment for his child. Young Zoltán's early exposure to the German classics was tempered by an interest in the folk heritage of his native land; in 1900, Read more after graduating from the Archiepiscopal Grammar School in Nagyszombat, he enrolled simultaneously at Budapest University (where he studied Germanic and Hungarian literature) and at the Budapest Academy of Music. Composition studies at the Academy were fruitful for Kodály, and he took a diploma in the subject in 1904. In 1905 he received a second diploma in music education, and in 1906 Kodály crowned his academic career with a Ph.D. earned for his thorough structural analysis of Hungarian folksong. During the preparation of this dissertation Kodály went on the first of many excursions into rural Hungary to record and transcribe authentic folk music, and in doing so built a strong and lasting friendship with Béla Bartók (who was engaged in the same practice at the time, and with whom Kodály would go on to publish several collections of Hungarian folk music).

Kodály's debut as a composer came in October 1906 with a successful performance of his orchestral poem Summer Evening (Nyári este) at the Academy of Music. Two months later Kodály left Hungary for the first time, having received funding from the Academy for a period of study in Berlin and Paris. Upon his return in 1907 he was appointed to the faculty of the Academy, eventually succeeding his teacher Koessler as professor of composition (and becoming Dohnányi's assistant when the latter was appointed director of the Academy in 1919). With the creation of the New Hungarian Music Society in 1911, Kodály firmly established himself alongside Bartók and Dohnányi as a powerful force in Hungary's developing musical culture.

Kodály produced a steady stream of music (his most famous works being the opera Háry János from 1927 and the orchestral suite from that opera) and important educational works (which have collectively become known to music educators as the Kodály method, and rank in significance alongside similar contributions by Orff and Dalcroze) until his death in 1967. In later years he made frequent concert tours during which he appeared as a conductor of his own music, though he never abandoned what he himself considered to be his primary work: the collection and systematization of Hungarian folk music and culture, and a corresponding assimilation of that body of work into a new Hungarian artistic aesthetic (a goal also shared by his friend Bartók). In the years after the Second World War he was honored by countless academic, musical, and political organizations around the globe; in 1961 he served as president of the International Folk Music Council, and, in 1964, as honorary president of the International Society of Music Educators. Read less

Featured Zoltán Kodály CDs & DVDs:

Kodály: Sonata For Cello Solo, Etc / Starker
Kodály: Sonata For Cello Solo, Etc / Starker
Release Date: 01/30/2009   Label: Philips  
Catalog: 422302   Number of Discs: 1
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Doráti Conducts Kodály And Bartók
Doráti Conducts Kodály And Bartók
Release Date: 09/12/1990   Label: Mercury Living Presence  
Catalog: 432005   Number of Discs: 1
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Sir Georg Solti - The Last Recording - Bartók, Kodály, Weiner
Sir Georg Solti - The Last Recording - Bartók, Kodály, Weiner
Release Date: 05/12/1998   Label: Decca  
Catalog: 458929   Number of Discs: 1
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Summer Evening - Works By Kodály & Suk / Orpheus CO
Summer Evening - Works By Kodály & Suk / Orpheus CO
Release Date: 11/27/2007   Label: Deutsche Grammophon  
Catalog: 447109   Number of Discs: 1
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Kodály: Solo Cello Sonata, Duo / Turovsky, Turovsky
Kodály: Solo Cello Sonata, Duo / Turovsky, Turovsky
Release Date: 10/28/1992   Label: Chandos  
Catalog: 8427   Number of Discs: 1
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Browse 1-25 of 273 Available Recordings
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  • 1.
    A Folk Song Runs Through It / Andrew Rangell
    A Folk Song Runs Through It / Andrew Rangell
    Label: Steinway & Sons   Catalog: 30018 Release Date: 07/30/2013   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Leos Janácek,  Béla Bartók,  Zoltán Kodály
    Performer:  Andrew Rangell
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  • 2.
    Works For Violin And Cello / Friedemann Eichhorn, Alexander Hulshoff
    Works For Violin And Cello / Friedemann Eichhorn, Alexander Hulshoff
    Label: Hänssler Classic   Catalog: 93301 Release Date: 06/25/2013   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Zoltán Kodály,  Mátyás Seiber,  Miklós Rózsa,  Zoltán Székely  ... 
    Performer:  Friedemann Eichhorn,  Alexander Hülshoff
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  • 3.
    Mercury Living Presence - The Collector's Edition Vol 2
    Mercury Living Presence - The Collector's Edition Vol 2
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 001831802 Release Date: 06/04/2013   Number of Discs: 55
    Composer:  Arnold Schoenberg,  Anton von Webern,  Alban Berg,  Ottorino Respighi  ... 
    Performer:  Helga Pilarczyk,  Yehudi Menuhin,  Mihaly Székely,  Olga Szönyi  ... 
    Conductor:  Antal Doráti,  Rafael Kubelik,  Anatole Fistoulari,  Frederick Fennell  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Symphony Orchestra,  Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra,  Philharmonia Hungarica  ... 
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  • 4.
    The Heifetz-Piatigorsky Concerts Album Collection
    The Heifetz-Piatigorsky Concerts Album Collection
    Label: Rca   Catalog: 545145 Release Date: 05/07/2013   Number of Discs: 21
    Composer:  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky,  Antonín Dvorák,  Maurice Ravel,  Johannes Brahms  ... 
    Performer:  Gregor Piatigorsky,  Laurence Lesser,  Paul Rosenthal,  Israel Baker  ... 
    Conductor:  Alfred Wallenstein
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra,  Orchestra
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  • 5.
    40 Tracks for 40 Years - Delos Anniversary Set
    40 Tracks for 40 Years - Delos Anniversary Set
    Label: Delos   Catalog: 3440 Release Date: 04/30/2013   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Dmitri Shostakovich,  Antonín Dvorák,  Aram Khachaturian,  Erich Wolfgang Korngold  ... 
    Performer:  James Earl Jones,  Charles Butler,  Marina Domashenko,  Dmitri Hvorostovsky  ... 
    Conductor:  Andrew Litton,  Zdenek Macal,  Constantine Orbelian,  James DePreist  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Dallas Symphony Orchestra,  New Jersey Symphony Orchestra,  Moscow Chamber Orchestra  ... 
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  • 6.
    Micromania: 85 Piano Miniatures
    Micromania: 85 Piano Miniatures
    Label: Tyx Art   Catalog: 12009 Release Date: 02/26/2013   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Carl Nielsen,  Franz Joseph Haydn,  John Bull,  Hugo Distler  ... 
    Performer:  Matthias Veit
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  • 7.
    Eugene Ormandy Conducts 20th Century Classics [12-CD Set]
    Eugene Ormandy Conducts 20th Century Classics [12-CD Set]
    Label: Sony   Catalog: 5417202 Release Date: 11/06/2012   Number of Discs: 12
    Composer:  Gustav Holst,  Claude Debussy,  Maurice Ravel,  Modest Mussorgsky  ... 
    Performer:  John Williams,  Vladimir Ashkenazy,  Van Cliburn,  Isaac Stern  ... 
    Conductor:  Eugene Ormandy
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philadelphia Orchestra,  Mendelssohn Club Chorus Philadelphia,  Rutgers University Chorus
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  • 8.
    Liszt: Mazeppa, Mephisto Waltz; Kodaly: Hary Janos Suite / Kurt Masur
    Liszt: Mazeppa, Mephisto Waltz; Kodaly: Hary Janos Suite / Kurt Masur
    Label: Teldec   Catalog: 2564659418 Release Date: 10/30/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Franz Liszt,  Zoltán Kodály
    Performer:  Myron Romanul
    Conductor:  Kurt Masur
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  • 9.
    The Best Of The King's Singers
    The Best Of The King's Singers
    Label: Signum U.k.   Catalog: 297 Release Date: 10/30/2012   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Cyrillus Kreek,  William Byrd,  Carlo Gesualdo,  Arvo Pärt  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  King's Singers
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  • 10.
    On The Shoulders Of Giants
    Label: Cantus Recordings   Catalog: 5638019872 Release Date: 10/23/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Pérotin,  Thomas Tallis,  Hans Leo Hassler,  Claudio Monteverdi  ... 
    Performer:  Aaron Humble,  Adam Reinwald,  David Walton,  Paul Rudoi  ... 
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  • 11.
    Solti Conducts Bartok
    Solti Conducts Bartok
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 001746002 Release Date: 10/16/2012   Number of Discs: 6
    Composer:  Béla Bartók,  Leó Weiner,  Zoltán Kodály
    Performer:  Alexandru Agache,  Tamás Daróczy,  Vladimir Ashkenazy,  Kyung-Wha Chung  ... 
    Conductor:  Sir Georg Solti
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Chicago Symphony Orchestra,  Chicago Symphony Orchestra Strings,  Hungarian Radio/TV Chorus  ... 
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  • 12.
    Debussy, Ravel, Kodaly: String Quartets / Melos Quartet
    Debussy, Ravel, Kodaly: String Quartets / Melos Quartet
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 001739402 Release Date: 10/09/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Claude Debussy,  Maurice Ravel,  Zoltán Kodály
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Melos String Quartet Stuttgart
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  • 13.
    Kodaly, Janacek, Prokofiev: Sonatas Pour Violincelle Et Piano
    Kodaly, Janacek, Prokofiev: Sonatas Pour Violincelle Et Piano
    Label: Anima Records (Classical)   Catalog: 50600001 Release Date: 09/11/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Zoltán Kodály,  Leos Janácek,  Sergei Prokofiev
    Performer:  Bertrand Giraud,  Agnčs Vesterman
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  • 14.
    Kodaly: Dances Of Galanta; Dohnanyi: Konzertstuck / Schwarz, Seattle Symphony
    Kodaly: Dances Of Galanta; Dohnanyi: Konzertstuck / Schwarz, Seattle Symphony
    Label: Naxos   Catalog: 8572749 Release Date: 07/31/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Zoltán Kodály,  Ernö von Dohnányi
    Performer:  Christopher Sereque,  János Starker
    Conductor:  Gerard Schwarz
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Seattle Symphony Orchestra,  Seattle Symphony Chorus
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  • 15.
    Lucia Popp - Die Unvergessene (The Unforgettable) / Munchner Rundfunkorchester
    Lucia Popp - Die Unvergessene (The Unforgettable) / Munchner Rundfunkorchester
    Label: Acanta/Pilz   Catalog: 233353 Release Date: 07/31/2012   Number of Discs: 4
    Composer:  Antonín Dvorák,  Sergei Prokofiev,  Zoltán Kodály,  Leos Janácek  ... 
    Performer:  Geoffrey Parsons,  Lucia Popp,  Carole Dawn Reinhart,  Adalbert Kraus
    Conductor:  Kurt Eichhorn,  Marinus Voorberg,  Heinz Wallberg
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Munich Radio Symphony Orchestra,  Amsterdam Chamber Orchestra
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  • 16.
    Neeme Jarvi - Highlights From A Remarkable 30 Year Recording Career
    Neeme Jarvi - Highlights From A Remarkable 30 Year Recording Career
    Label: Chandos   Catalog: 24144 Release Date: 07/31/2012   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Antonín Dvorák,  Johan Halvorsen,  Gustav Mahler,  Franz von Suppé  ... 
    Performer:  Melina Madozzi,  Linda Finnie,  Laurence Kaptain,  Felicity [Soprano Vocal] Lott  ... 
    Conductor:  Neeme Järvi
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  • 17.
    Arturo Toscanini - The Complete RCA Collection [84 CDs + DVD]
    Arturo Toscanini - The Complete RCA Collection [84 CDs + DVD]
    Label: Rca   Catalog: 791631 Release Date: 07/10/2012   Number of Discs: 85
    Composer:  Ludwig van Beethoven,  Johannes Brahms,  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Franz Joseph Haydn  ... 
    Performer:  Eileen Farrell,  Nan Merriman,  Jan Peerce,  Norman Scott  ... 
    Conductor:  Arturo Toscanini
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  NBC Symphony Orchestra,  Robert Shaw Chorale,  NBC Symphony Chorus  ... 
    On sale! $149.98
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  • 18.
    Seiber: A Cappella - Yugoslav , Hungarian And Nonsense Songs / Choir Of The 21st Century
    Seiber: A Cappella - Yugoslav , Hungarian And Nonsense Songs / Choir Of The 21st Century
    Label: Somm   Catalog: 9855 Release Date: 06/12/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Erich Itor Kahn,  Alan Gibbs,  Zoltán Kodály,  Mátyás Seiber
    Conductor:  Howard Williams
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Choir of the 21st Century
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  • 19.
    Kodaly, Ravel, Schulhoff: Duos For Violin & Cello
    Kodaly, Ravel, Schulhoff: Duos For Violin & Cello
    Label: Challenge   Catalog: 72542 Release Date: 05/08/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Maurice Ravel,  Zoltán Kodály,  Erwin Schulhoff
    Performer:  Liza Ferschtman,  Dmitri Ferschtman
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  • 20.
    Magnificat - 500 Years Of Choral Masterworks [50-CD Set]
    Magnificat - 500 Years Of Choral Masterworks [50-CD Set]
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 001664502 Release Date: 04/10/2012   Number of Discs: 50
    Composer:  Gregorio Allegri,  Antonio Lotti,  Orlando de Lassus,  Josquin Des Préz  ... 
    Performer:  Patrick Russill,  Marinella Pennicchi,  Michael Chance,  Mark Tucker  ... 
    Conductor:  Harry Christophers,  Paul McCreesh,  Stephen Cleobury,  Edward Wickham  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  The Sixteen,  Gabrieli Consort,  Gabrieli Players  ... 
    On sale! $169.98
    CD: $133.99
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  • 21.
    Lakatos
    Lakatos
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 473 Release Date: 03/20/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms,  Traditional,  Zoltán Kodály,  Vittorio Monti  ... 
    Performer:  Lakatos Róbert
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Roby Lakatos Ensemble
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  • 22.
    The Very Best Of David Oistrakh
    The Very Best Of David Oistrakh
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 678987 Release Date: 03/13/2012   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms,  Ludwig van Beethoven,  Sergei Prokofiev,  Franz Schubert  ... 
    Performer:  David Oistrakh,  Sviatoslav Richter,  Mstislav Rostropovich,  Svyatoslav Knushevitsky  ... 
    Conductor:  George Szell,  Herbert von Karajan,  Alceo Galliera,  Maxim Shostakovich  ... 
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  • 23.
    Mercury Living Presence - The Collector's Edition [50-CD Set]
    Mercury Living Presence - The Collector's Edition [50-CD Set]
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 001653302 Release Date: 03/06/2012   Number of Discs: 50
    Composer:  Modest Mussorgsky,  Béla Bartók,  Bedrich Smetana,  Robert McBride  ... 
    Performer:  George Schick,  Irwin Fischer,  Yehudi Menuhin,  Rolando Valdés-Blain  ... 
    Conductor:  Rafael Kubelik,  Howard Hanson,  Antal Doráti,  Frederick Fennell  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Chicago Symphony Orchestra,  Eastman-Rochester Symphony Orchestra,  Eastman School of Music Chorus  ... 
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  • 24.
    Solo
    Solo
    Label: Edition Hera   Catalog: 2124 Release Date: 02/14/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Eugčne Ysa˙e,  Zoltán Kodály,  Gaspar Cassadó,  Toshiro Mayuzumi
    Performer:  Francis Gouton
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  • 25.
    Josef Suk - Early Recordings
    Josef Suk - Early Recordings
    Label: Supraphon   Catalog: 4075 Release Date: 12/13/2011   Number of Discs: 6
    Composer:  Antonín Dvorák,  Josef Suk,  Leos Janácek,  Bedrich Smetana  ... 
    Performer:  Josef Suk,  Jan Panenka,  Josef Hála,  André Navarra  ... 
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