Bozay, Attila

Bozay, Attila, Hungarian composer and teacher; b. Balatonfűzfő, Aug. 11, 1939; d. Gőne, Sept. 14, 1999. He studied in Budapest at the Bartók Cons. (1954–57) and then with Farkas at the Academy of Music, graduating in 1962. After serving as a music producer for the Hungarian Radio (1963–66), he went to Paris on a UNESCO scholarship in 1967. Returning to Budapest, he devoted himself fully to composition and later taught at the Academy of Music. In 1968 and 1979 he received the Erkel Prize. In 1984 he was made a Merited Artist by the Hungarian government. In 1988 he received the Bartók–Pásztory Award.

Works

opera:Küngisz királynö (Queen Kungisz; 1968–69); Csongor és Tünde (1979–84; Budapest, Jan. 20, 1985). ORCH.: Pezzo concertato No. 1 for Viola and Orch. (1965) and No. 2 for Zither and Orch. (1974–75); Pezzo sinfonico No. 1 (1967) and No. 2 (1975–76); Pezzo d’archi (1968; rev. 1974); Gyermekdalok (Children’s Songs) for 18 Strings (1976); Variazioni (1977); Improvisations No. 3 for Prepared Piano and Strings (1987). chamber ensemble:Sorozat (Series; 1970); A malom (The Mill; 1972–73). chamber: Duo for 2 Violins (1958); Episodi for Bassoon and Piano (1959); Trio for Violin, Viola, and Cello (1960; rev. 1966); Wind Quintet (1962); 2 string quartets (1964, 1971); Két tétel (2 Movements) for Oboe and Piano (1970); Improvisations No. 2 for Recorders and String Trio (1976); Tiikor (Mirror) for Zither and Cimbalom (1977); Violin Sonata (1987–88); various pieces for Solo Instrument, including many for Piano. vocal:Papirszeletek (Paper Slips) for Soprano, Clarinet, and Cello (1962); Kiáltások (Outcries) for Tenor, Violin, Cello, Clarinet, Horn, and Piano (1963); Trapéz és korlát (Trapeze and Parallel Bars), cantata for Tenor, Chorus, and Orch. (1966); Lux perpetua, motet for Chorus (1969); Két tájkép (2 Landscapes) for Baritone, Flute, and Zither (1970–71); 24 Children’s or Women’s Choruses (1985).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire