Stanford Cheung- Kodály Marosszéker Tänze

Recorded live in Montreal, Pollack Hall
Marosszéker Tänze- Zoltán Kodály (1882-1967)
Drawing its roots from an early period in Hungary, the work was originally conceived as a piano transcription, which Kodály later orchestrated and debuted with the Hungarian Philharmonic in 1930. Reflecting what the composer describes as a former “Fairyland of Transylvania,” the word Marosszéker characterizes itself as a type of shuttle dance, featuring a variety of historical folk melodies that bear out the work’s musical form. The piece opens with a majestic tune from the distant north west corner of Hungary in Nyitracsehi where the left hand’s grounded bass line allows for an earthly texture; possibly to suggest the idiomatic stomp of a peasant’s feet. The work then shifts into an improvisatory flute like interlude which denotes a serene bird like tone in contrast to the once grounded nature of the previous opening. As the dance nears its grand finale, the coda lends itself to bagpipe music of Szekely origin, surging festively in a constant perpetual motion. Likewise, the pianist is challenged to the greatest extent of their abilities as leaping octaves underscore flourishes of thirds in the right hand. What was once only a noble pursuit towards an impressive ending in turn, allows for an engaging experience with the spirit of this Hungarian work.