The Hungarian Harpsichord

This UNIQUE album encompasses selections from six centuries of Hungarian keyboard music, originating from the territory of old Hungary, and occasionally from abroad. The programme opens with the first known suite composition by a Hungarian composer. Mihaly Bulyovszky (ca 1640?1712). The program continues with Hungarian Dances from Hungarian and international collections as old as the 16th and 17th century, followed by a Toccata & Fuga by Daniel Brassai Croner (1656-1740). From the 18th century we hear a Sonata by Maria Kohary (1769-1824) and Jozsef Bengraf (1745?1791). Skipping the 19th century we freshly arrive in the 20th century, which is represented by a Divertissement by Pal Hermann (1902-1943). The 21rst century presents Lajos Huszar b.1984 in his Sonata for Harpsichord Op.11, the program ending with Cemballata by Mate Hollos (b. 1954) and a Suite by Szilvia Elek. The guide through this fascinating journey is Hungarian harpsichordist Szilvia Elek. She was born in Budapest and graduated from the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music. In Hungary she studied with Jozsef Soproni (composition), Rita Wagner, Ferenc Rados, Gyorgy Kurtag (piano, chamber music) and Janos Sebestyen, then with Malcolm Bilson in the United States and Jos van Immerseel in Belgium. She defended her doctoral dissertation - summa cum laude - in 2019 at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music.