Vajda, János

Vajda, János, Hungarian composer; b. Miskolc, Oct. 8,1949. He received training in choral conducting from István Párkai and in composition from Emil Petrovics at the Budapest Academy of Music (graduated, 1975); after serving as répétiteur with the Hungarian Radio and Television Choir (1974-79), he completed his composition studies at the Sweelinck Cons, in Amsterdam (1979-80). From 1981 he taught at the Budapest Academy of Music. He won the Erkel Prize in 1981.

Works

dramatic: Opera: Barabbás (1976-77); Mario és a varázsló (Mario and the Magician; 1983-85). Baile t : Az igazság pillanata (The Moment of Truth; 1981); Don Juan árnyéka rajtunk (Don Juan’s Shadow Is Cast on Us; 1981); Izzó planéták (Glowing Planets; 1983); Jon a cirkusz (Circus Is Coming; 1984). ORCH.: Holland anziksz (Picture Postcard from Holland) for Chamber Ensemble (1979); Búcsú (Farewell; 1978-80); Pentaton, in memoriam R.M. for Chamber Ensemble (1983). CHAMBER: Gregorian ének (Gregorian Chant) for Cimbalom (1974); De angelisfor Wind Quintet and Tape (1978); All That Musicfor 2 Cimbaloms (1981); Just for You No. 1for Cello (1984) and No. 2for Violin (1987); Mozi-zene (Movie Music) for Piano and String Trio (1986); Változatok (Variations) for Piano (1987). VOCAL: Tenebrae factae suntfor Chorus (1972); Két teszt (2 Tests) for Mezzo-soprano, Flute, Clarinet, and Bassoon (1975); Fekete gloria (Black Halo) for Chorus (1977); Stabat Materfor 2 Women’s Voices, Women’s Chorus, and Chamber Ensemble (1978); Ave Maris Stellafor Chorus (1979); Cantata for Chamber Chorus, Wind Quintet, String Quintet, and Celesta (1981); Tristis est anima meafor Chorus (1982); Via crucisfor Chorus, 8 Winds, and Organ (1983); Allelujafor Chorus (1983); Kolindafor Chorus (1984); Karácsonyi kantáta (Christmas Cantata) for 2 Child Soloists, Chorus, Children’s Chorus, and Orch. (1984-86); Rapszódiafor Chorus (1987-88).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire