Kodaly: Intermezzo from Háry János Suite

Description

The Háry János Suite is derived from Zoltán Kodály's (1882-1967) 1926 comic opera. The opera tells the fantastical tale of the title character's imagination, from having the wife of Napoleon, Empress Marie Louise, fall in love with him, to his single-handedly defeating Napoleon's army, to Háry's return home to Hungary on the realization that his happiness can only be found with his village sweetheart, Orzse. The full suite, which premiered on March 3, 1927 in Barcelona with the Orquestra Pau Casals under Antal Fleischer, includes six movements depicting many of these outrageous stories from the opera.

The Intermezzo takes place after Háry defeats Napoleon's army in battle. The whirling csárdás celebrates the victory with the syncopation and spirit of this traditional Hungarian dance.

Instrumentation: 2(opt3rd).2.2.2: 4.2(opt3rd).0.0: Timp.Perc(3-4): Cimbalon or Pno: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set).