Polgar, Tibor
Polgar, Tibor
Polgar, Tibor , Hungarian-born Canadian composer, conductor, pianist, and teacher; b. Budapest, March 11, 1907. He was a pupil of Kodaly at the Budapest Academy of Music (composition diploma, 1925), and earned a degree in philosophy (1931). He was active as a performer and composer with the Hungarian Radio, later serving as its artistic director (1948–50). From 1962 to 1964 he was assoc. conductor of the Philharmonia Hungarica in Marl kreis Recklinghausen; then emigrated to Canada and became a naturalized citizen (1969). He conducted the Univ. of Toronto Sym. Orch. (1965–66), and later was on the staff of the Univ.’s opera dept. (1970–75). He also taught at the Royal Cons. of Music of Toronto (1966–68), and then orchestration at York Univ. in Toronto (1976–77).
Works
DRAMATIC: Opera: Kérök (The Suitors; 1954); The Troublemaker (1968); The Glove (1973); A Strange Night (1978–88). Musical Satire : A European Lover (1965). ORCH.: Variations on a Hungarian Folk Song for Harp and Orch. (1969; also for Solo Harp); llona’s 4 Faces for Clarinet or Saxophone and Orch. (1970; also for Clarinet or Saxophone and Piano); Notes on Hungary for Concert Band (1971); Pentatonia for Concert Band (1976; Toronto, Feb. 15, 1977); 3 Poems in Music (1977; also for Piano); 2 Symphonic Dances in Latin Rhythm for Trumpet and Symphonic Band (1979); Fanfare of Pride and Joy for Symphonic Band (1982); Concerto romantico for Harp and Orch. (1986); The Voice of the Soul for Concert Band (1989). CHAMBER : Improvisazione for 4 Horns (1962); In Private for Violin and Viola (1964); Rhapsody of Kallo for Violin and Harp (1970); Sonatine for 2 Flutes (1971); Romantic Minutes for Harp (1980); Frere Jacques for 4 Harps (1984); Hide and Seek for Horn and Piano (1988). VOCAL : The Last Words of Louis Riel, cantata for Contralto, Baritone, Chorus, and Orch. (1966–67); Lest We Forget the Last Chapter of Genesis, cantata for Low Voice and Piano or Orch. (1970); How Long Shall the Ungodly Triumph? for 6 Voices and Organ (1974); Annabel Lee for Voice, Flute, and Harp (1974); songs; arrangements.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire