Country

:

Hungary

Genre

:

Choral

 

Schola Hungarica is a renowned classical music ensemble that specializes in the performance of medieval and Renaissance music. The ensemble was founded in 1965 by László Dobszay, a Hungarian musicologist and choral conductor, with the aim of reviving the neglected repertoire of early music from Hungary and other parts of Europe. Dobszay was a pioneer in the field of early music performance, and his work with Schola Hungarica helped to establish the ensemble as one of the leading interpreters of medieval and Renaissance music. He was joined in his efforts by a group of talented musicians and scholars, including Janka Szendrei, János Bali, and László Varga, who became the core members of the ensemble. Schola Hungarica quickly gained a reputation for its innovative and historically informed performances of early music, which were based on extensive research into the original sources and performance practices of the period. The ensemble's repertoire included a wide range of music from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, including Gregorian chant, polyphonic motets, and secular songs. One of the highlights of Schola Hungarica's early career was its participation in the 1968 Festival of Early Music in Bruges, Belgium, where the ensemble performed a program of Hungarian and Flemish music from the 14th and 15th centuries. The performance was widely acclaimed and helped to establish Schola Hungarica as an important player in the early music scene. Over the years, Schola Hungarica continued to perform and record extensively, both in Hungary and abroad. The ensemble's recordings, which include such classics as "The Office of St. Stephen" and "The Office of St. Martin," have been praised for their authenticity and musicality, and have won numerous awards and accolades. In addition to its work as a performing ensemble, Schola Hungarica has also been active in the field of musicology, with members of the ensemble contributing to the study and publication of early music sources and performance practices. The ensemble has also trained a new generation of early music performers and scholars through its workshops and masterclasses. Sadly, László Dobszay passed away in 2011, but Schola Hungarica continues to carry on his legacy and remains one of the most respected and influential ensembles in the field of early music. The ensemble's current members include Janka Szendrei, János Bali, László Varga, and a number of other talented musicians and scholars who are dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich heritage of medieval and Renaissance music.

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