A Hungarian Maestro’s Legacy: Budapest Celebrates the Profound Music of György Kurtág
Budapest, Hungary – The vibrant city of Budapest is currently abuzz with a series of cultural events honouring the life, times, and, most importantly, the deeply resonant music of its native son, György Kurtág. The festivities, which commenced on Thursday, offer a multifaceted exploration of a composer whose work has captivated audiences and fellow musicians alike.
The celebrations kicked off at the prestigious Palace of Arts (MÜPA) with the premiere of a compelling documentary, Kurtág Fragments. Directed by Dénes Nagy, the film delves into the intricate and often arduous creative process of the renowned composer. It offers an intimate glimpse into the struggles, doubts, grief, and the profound loneliness that can accompany old age, as well as Kurtág’s personal and professional journey.
Nagy shared his insights into the making of the documentary, highlighting the dedication required to capture the essence of such a significant artist. “It took patience, I think, and perseverance to be behind him for hours on end and not to waver,” Nagy explained. “Humbly, but not giving in to the fact that we were taking something very seriously here and wanted to record it, and he was very open to that.” He added, “He really appreciated our persistence. We shot for four years, we spent a lot of days with him. It took 300 hours of raw footage to make the two hours that ended up being the film itself.”
The impact of Kurtág’s music extends far beyond his native Hungary, resonating with musicians across the globe. Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson, a figure lauded by The New York Times as “Iceland’s Glenn Gould,” draws a powerful parallel between encountering Kurtág’s work and the seminal experience of engaging with the music of Robert Schumann.
Ólafsson offers a profound perspective on how to approach Kurtág’s compositions: “Go into the quiet space inside yourself and let go of everything. You just have to start listening. His music says so much in so few voices.” He elaborated on the unique quality of Kurtág’s output, stating, “For me, that is the essence of music, the essence of life. It’s very different from anything else. So if someone doesn’t know Kurtág’s music, just go on Spotify or any other music player and press play. You won’t regret it.”
A Meeting of Minds and Melodies
A particularly touching moment in the composer’s recent life was Ólafsson’s encounter with György Kurtág in 2022. The Icelandic virtuoso had the honour of inviting Kurtág to Budapest to play on the piano of his late wife, Márta, at the Budapest Music Centre. This meeting not only inspired Ólafsson but also revealed a deeply personal connection.
“He told me that Márta had listened to my recordings,” Ólafsson recounted, his voice filled with emotion. “It was a very touching moment.” During this session, Ólafsson performed a diverse repertoire, including works by Bartók, Icelandic folk songs, Bach, Mozart, and Haydn. He mused on a perceived, though perhaps intangible, link between Icelandic and Hungarian musical traditions. “I always thought there was some kind of beautiful connection between Icelandic and Hungarian music. I don’t know what it is, maybe the language, the rhythm of our language is a bit similar, even if the languages themselves are completely different.”
The Humanity Within the Notes
Renowned German baritone Benjamin Appl also shared his admiration for Kurtág, describing it as a “special gift” to be alive during an era graced by such a composer.
“This is music, but also the experience of humanity,” Appl stated. “It is an interaction in which there is little speech, but a lot of thought, a lot of emotion. It is an immersion into a depth that we can never experience otherwise.”
He further elaborated on the profound impact of Kurtág’s artistic integrity. “The moments I get to share with him, with Kurtág, are special because I don’t know anyone who offers such deep insight, who is so searching, so self-critical. And in this day and age, when no one retreats into silence to think inward, when everyone wants to make a splash, this is something very precious and a great gift.”
Appl also shed light on the unique demands and rewards of performing Kurtág’s vocal works. “Kurtág’s songs are very strange for the listeners, you have to shout a lot, you have to sing very badly, very low or very high… You would think that would ruin the sound. It often happens that when I go back to my own composers after Kurtág, Schubert, Schumann and others, I sing them more easily. My voice just works better, it’s more flexible. It is a phenomenon for which I have not yet been able to find out why this is so.”
A Life Dedicated to Sound
György Kurtág, an undeniable titan of contemporary music, continues to live and work from his studio in the attic of the Budapest Music Center. His days remain dedicated to the creation of music, a testament to a lifelong passion that continues to inspire and challenge the musical world. The current celebrations in Hungary serve as a powerful reminder of his enduring legacy and the profound artistic contributions he has made.
