Description on Youtube:
Junko Sakimura, Cimbalom
Atsushi Takahashi, Director
Japan Friendship Philharmonic
http://www.cimbalom.net/
*Kodály – *Háry János Suite*
Zoltán Kodály’s *Háry János Suite* (1927) is an orchestral work drawn from his singspiel/opera *Háry János*, which tells the fantastical tales of a Hungarian veteran who exaggerates his adventures in the Austro-Hungarian army. The suite, arranged by Kodály shortly after the opera’s premiere, captures the colorful, humorous, and folkloric spirit of the original stage work.
The suite is notable for its imaginative orchestration, including the use of cimbalom (a Hungarian hammered dulcimer), and begins with an attention-grabbing orchestral *sneeze*—a reference to a Hungarian superstition that a sneeze confirms a speaker’s truthfulness, ironically underscoring Háry’s tall tales.
The suite consists of six movements:
1. *Prelude – The Fairy Tale Begins*
2. *Viennese Musical Clock*
3. *Song*
4. *The Battle and Defeat of Napoleon*
5. *Intermezzo*
6. *Entrance of the Emperor and His Court*
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*5. Intermezzo*
The fifth movement of Zoltán Kodály's vibrant Háry János Suite, the "Intermezzo" serves as a captivating musical bridge. This piece beautifully exemplifies Kodály's profound connection to and masterful integration of Hungarian folk music into classical forms.
Characterized by its lyrical, often melancholic melodies and rich harmonies, the Intermezzo evokes the spirit of Hungarian verbunkos and csárdás styles. You'll hear the characteristic rhythmic vitality, with a driving cimbalom, and the distinctive modal inflections that are hallmarks of Hungarian folk traditions. It's a testament to Kodály's genius in elevating authentic national music to a sophisticated orchestral setting, creating a piece that is both deeply rooted in its heritage and universally appealing.
Recorded: Aug. 27, 2006
