János Decsényi – Hungarian Composers 7 by Péter Halász 

UPC / ISBN-13: 9789638278616 

MPN: 9638278617 

Brand Name: Magus Publishing / Mágus Kiadó

Overview

This compact English-language monograph by Péter Halász, published by Magus Kiadó in 2001 as part of the Hungarian Composers series, presents the life and music of János Decsényi (b. 1927) — one of the most distinctive and versatile figures in post-war Hungarian composition.

Across 32 pages, the author outlines Decsényi’s creative evolution, from his traditional training at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music to his explorations in electronic and instrumental experimentation. The book reveals how Decsényi’s work balances intellectual clarity and emotional intensity, reflecting both his openness to innovation and his deep respect for musical heritage.

Product Features

• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 32
• Language: English
• Publisher: Magus Kiadó (Magus Publishing)
• Publication Year: 2001
• Series: Hungarian Composers – No. 7
• ISBN-10: 9638278617
• ISBN-13: 9789638278616
• Genre: Music History / Contemporary Classical / Composer Biography
• Country: Hungary

Interesting Facts

János Decsényi, born in Budapest in 1927, studied piano with Magda Vásárhelyi and composition with Rezső Sugár at the Conservatory, later graduating from the composition department of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music under Endre Szervánszky. Since 1951, he has worked for the Hungarian Radio Music Department, where he became known for his analytical mind and experimental creativity.

Decsényi’s music is deeply interdisciplinary — inspired by visual art (such as Csontváry paintings), literature, ancient texts, and even philosophical ideas. His compositions explore the soundscape (hangtáj) — a genre blending natural environmental sounds with electronic processing, forming musical “landscapes.”

His style merges opposites: structure and spontaneity, intellect and emotion. While many of his works investigate the material and technical possibilities of instruments, they remain strikingly lyrical and colorful. Beneath the shimmering sound surfaces lies strict formal architecture — every tone carefully designed, never arbitrary.

By integrating tradition with modernism, Decsényi became one of the few post-1960s Hungarian composers to successfully bridge avant-garde techniques and humanistic expressiveness, marking his place in both Hungarian and international contemporary music.

Publishers

Publisher: Magus Kiadó (Magus Publishing) Series: Hungarian Composers – 7 Country of Origin: Hungary Year: 2001

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