Sándor Veress (1907-1992)

[Louis]

Veress was a Hungarian émigré composer, who had left communist Hungary for Switzerland after World war 2. Before he left he taught Kurtag and Ligeti in Budapest.

He started out highly influenced by Bartok till he learned about Anton Webern after WW2. Veress came up with his of creative use of dodecaphony, which includes tonality and still has a noteable Hungarian element.

His transitional work "Hommage à Paul Klee" is one of the most beautiful pieces of post 1945 classical music I know. Andras Schiff recorded it. His "concerto for piano, strings and percussion" was his first real use of his dodecaphony technique.

Veress is totally overshadowed by those Hungarian composers before him (Bartok, Kodaly) and those after him (Kurtag, Ligeti, Eötvös). Which I don't really understand tbh.

If you are interested in Veress' exact technique of dodecaphony check out the musicologist Andreas Traub who wrote several papers and books on him (in German)

[Luke]

Thanks for this - and welcome to the board, by the way. Your description of the Klee piece, which I do not know, was very tempting so I bought a Schiff box set with it on, which arrived today. I look forward to hearing it!

[Brian]

I just streamed the String Trio, a 20-minute piece in two movements. Uncompromising and virtuosic.

[Kalevala]

I just streamed the String Trio, a 20-minute piece in two movements. Uncompromising and virtuosic.

Whose recording did you listen to?

K

[Brian]

Whose recording did you listen to?

K

Alpha Records - a live recording from the Lockenhaus Festival with Vilde Frang, Lawrence Power, and Nicolas Altstaedt. Coupled to the more romantic/folkish Bartok Piano Quintet.

I am now listening to the Hommage a Paul Klee which does seem like a better entry point to Veress' style: abstract but with moments of great beauty, as promised. Some reminders of Martinu and Bartok for sure. It's for two pianos and strings.

[Kalevala]

Alpha Records - a live recording from the Lockenhaus Festival with Vilde Frang, Lawrence Power, and Nicolas Altstaedt. Coupled to the more romantic/folkish Bartok Piano Quintet.

I am now listening to the Hommage a Paul Klee which does seem like a better entry point to Veress' style: abstract but with moments of great beauty, as promised. Some reminders of Martinu and Bartok for sure. It's for two pianos and strings.

Thanks, I found it on youtube. 

K