Miklós Rózsa, born 115 years ago, is remembered in Debrecen
On May 27-28, the Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra and the Kodály Choir will commemorate Miklós Rózsa, who was born 115 years ago.
The Kodály Philharmonic and the Kodály Choir will provide a unique insight into the hitherto unknown symphonic works of the general public in addition to the master’s world-famous film music on Friday and Saturday from 7.30 pm. The contributors to the three-time Oscar-winning production are pianists Ádám Bősze and Krisztina Fejes, conducted by Dániel Somogyi-Tóth, chief music director of the city of Debrecen.
There will also be a book presentation on Friday 27 May from 2 p.m. Organized by the Kodály Philharmonic in Debrecen and the Hollywood Hungarian Heritage Society, the recently published Hungarian edition of Miklós Rózsa’s book: Double Life and the book by Gergely Hubai, Music: Miklós Rózsa, will be presented in the Bényi Gallery of the Kölcsey Center. The book presentation will be attended by István Puskás, Deputy Mayor of Culture, János Halász, Member of Parliament, Dániel Somogyi-Tóth, Director of Music, Sándor Takó and Tamás Kollarik, and Gergely Hubai, author of the Hollywood Hungarian Heritage Society.
Those interested are welcome to attend both events: participation in the Book Presentation is free of charge, tickets for the season-ending concerts can be redeemed at the Kölcsey Center, Tourinform Office in Debrecen, online at kodalyfilharmonia.jegy.hu!
The “best” of roses
- Miklós Rózsa is one of the most significant composers of 20th century cinema and Hollywood. He has been nominated for an Oscar seventeen times in his career, of which he has won three awards.
- The thief of Baghdad, Quo Vadis, Julius Caesar, The Book of the Jungle, Ben-Hur… are just a few of the major titles in his filmography of nearly a hundred items.
- During his career, he set the world’s first soundtrack album (The Jungle Book).
- For the first time in America, he held a film music course at the University of Southern California (USC). All the major works of his death have been published, and his works are now played with almost complete success.
- He has received numerous awards on the occasion of his eightieth birthday, US President Ronald Reagan, II. Queen Elizabeth of Britain and II. Pope John Paul also greeted Miklós Rózsa Day in Los Angeles.
Miklós Rózsa: Double Life
“The greatest film composer to ever live,” said Miklós Rózsa, the world-famous composer of Star Wars films, who died at the age of eighty-eight. His autobiography, The Dual Life, is an emotional, readable and astringent statement written with Hungarian humor, which can finally be read in Hungarian forty years after its first publication. Simultaneously with this volume, the collection, systematization and expert work of Gerge Hubai, Music: Miklós Rózsa, which places the entire film music oeuvre of one of the most successful Hollywood Hungarian artists in an exciting historical context, clarifies the inaccuracy of the composer’s autobiography.