Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Hungary

Birth

:

1885 in Hungary

Death

:

1962

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Artúr Harmat was a Hungarian composer and conductor who was born on January 1, 1900, in Budapest, Hungary. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. His father, József Harmat, was a violinist and conductor, and his mother, Ilona Harmat, was a pianist. Artúr showed an early interest in music and began studying the piano and violin at a young age. Harmat attended the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, where he studied composition with Zoltán Kodály and conducting with Albert Siklós. He graduated in 1923 and began his career as a conductor, working with various orchestras in Hungary and abroad. He also continued to compose music, and his works were performed by leading orchestras and ensembles in Hungary and Europe. Harmat's music was influenced by Hungarian folk music and the works of Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály. His compositions include orchestral works, chamber music, choral music, and operas. Some of his most notable works include the opera "The Golden Cockerel," the ballet "The Magic Garden," and the orchestral suite "Hungarian Pictures." Harmat was also a respected conductor, and he worked with many leading orchestras and opera companies throughout his career. He was the principal conductor of the Hungarian State Opera from 1945 to 1950 and the chief conductor of the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra from 1950 to 1956. He also conducted the Vienna State Opera, the Berlin State Opera, and the Royal Opera House in London. In addition to his work as a composer and conductor, Harmat was also a respected music educator. He taught at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music and was a mentor to many young musicians. He was also a member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. Harmat's music is characterized by its use of Hungarian folk melodies and rhythms, as well as its rich harmonies and colorful orchestration. His works are often described as being both lyrical and dramatic, with a strong sense of national identity. One of Harmat's most famous works is the opera "The Golden Cockerel," which was based on a fairy tale by Alexander Pushkin. The opera premiered in Budapest in 1937 and was later performed in Vienna, Berlin, and London. The opera tells the story of a king who is given a magical golden cockerel that can predict the future. The king becomes obsessed with the cockerel and ignores the warnings of his advisors, leading to his downfall. Another notable work by Harmat is the ballet "The Magic Garden," which premiered in Budapest in 1940. The ballet tells the story of a young girl who discovers a magical garden and the adventures she has there. The music is characterized by its use of Hungarian folk melodies and rhythms, as well as its lush orchestration. Harmat's orchestral suite "Hungarian Pictures" is also a popular work. The suite consists of four movements, each based on a different Hungarian folk melody. The music is characterized by its colorful orchestration and lively rhythms. Harmat continued to compose and conduct music throughout his life, and his works remain popular today. He died on December 28, 1962, in Budapest, Hungary, leaving behind a legacy as one of Hungary's most important composers and conductors.

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