Hungarian folk music

In today's world, Hungarian folk music occupies a central place in society, whether on a personal, political, social or cultural level. Its importance lies in its influence on different aspects of daily life, as well as its role in history and human development. Over time, Hungarian folk music has been the subject of debate, study and reflection, generating conflicting opinions and passionate discussions. From its impact on the economy to its role in individual identity, Hungarian folk music has proven to be a topic of universal interest that invites us to reflect on who we are and where we are headed. In this article, we will explore the various facets of Hungarian folk music, analyzing its meaning and its impact on the world today.

Hungarian folk music (Hungarian: magyar népzene) includes a broad array of Central European styles, including the recruitment dance verbunkos, the csárdás and nóta. It is characterised by complex melodic patterns, rhythmic diversity, ornamentalisation and the use of a distinctive blend of traditional instruments. Instruments traditionally used in Hungarian folk music include the citera, cimbalom, cobza, doromb, duda, kanászkürt, mandolin, tárogató, tambourine, tambura, tekero and ütőgardon.

The name Népzene is also used for Hungarian folk music as an umbrella designation of a number of related styles of traditional folk music from Hungary and Hungarian minorities living in modern-day Austria, the, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, central Romania (Transylvania) (Székely), Moldova (Csángó), and Serbia.

The obscure origins of Hungarian folk music formed among the peasant population in the early nineteenth century with roots dating even further back. However, its broader popularity was largely due to the Hungarian composer Franz Liszt, who in 1846 began composing 19 Hungarian Rhapsodies for piano, five of which were later orchestrated, thus being the first pieces of music by a major composer to incorporate sources from so-called “peasant music”. These works, which broke free from classical tradition, were often viewed by the elite as brash and unrefined, yet they deeply influenced others, like Johannes Brahms, and later Zoltán Kodály and Béla Bartók, even having an influence on American jazz.

During the 20th century, Hungarian composers were influenced by the traditional music of their nation which may be considered as a repeat of the early "nationalist" movement of the early 19th century (Beethoven) but is more accurately the artists' desire to escape the hegemony of the classical tradition manifold at that time. Béla Bartók took this departure into the abstract musical world in his appropriation of traditional Hungarian as the basis for symphonic creations.

Zoltán Kodály and Béla Bartók studied over 300 melodies, and noted that more modern tunes used for dancing featured pentatonic turns with frequent leaps in fourths.

Notable Hungarian folk bands and artists

Kaláka

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Elizabeth C. Rearick. 1939. Dance of the Hungarians. Teachers College, Columbia University; p. 48; citing Bartók's Hungarian Folk Music, page 80.
  2. ^ Tükrös Ensemble; songs.hu

External links