Szabó: Complete Solo Piano Works

Featuring

József Balog
Csaba Szabó

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Compositional Technique

Csaba Szabó used a prepared piano in his folk song paraphrase Roaming Tune, believing it could mimic the 'out of tune' sounds of some folk music and instruments like the cymbalo or harpsichord.

Compositional Technique

The album features Csaba Szabó's complete solo piano works, composed over nearly three decades, showcasing significant transformations in his style, form, technique, and message.

Composer Biography

Csaba Szabó (1936-2003), a Hungarian composer and musicologist, was born in Ákosfalva, Transylvania (Romania), and studied composition under students of Zoltán Kodály.

Performer Biography

Pianist József Balog, a Liszt and Lajtha Prize-winner, is known for his brilliant technique and sensitive musicianship, and has performed in renowned venues across three continents.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Csaba Szabó's oeuvre is multifaceted, reflecting his belief that musical education, composition, performing arts, research, and teaching work should not be separated.

Compositional Technique

Csaba Szabó's piece, Parlando, Giusto e Corale, written in 1973, uses avant-garde techniques like white- and black-key clusters, glissandos, echo effects, and direct plucking of piano strings.

Recording & Production

This album features the first recordings of Csaba Szabó's complete solo piano works, recorded in September 2022 at the Institute for Musicology in Budapest, Hungary.