József Soproni (1930–) – Hungarian Composers 11 / Paperback

Author: Kristóf Csengery
Series: Hungarian Composers – No. 11
Publisher: Magus Kiadó (Magus Publishing)
Language: Hungarian
ISBN-10: 9638278846
ISBN-13: 9789638278845
Publication Year: 2000

Overview

This insightful 32-page monograph by Kristóf Csengery, part of the acclaimed Hungarian Composers series, explores the remarkable life and artistic legacy of József Soproni (b. 1930) — composer, pedagogue, and one of Hungary’s foremost musical thinkers of the 20th century.

Soproni’s creative journey spans decades of innovation, reflection, and renewal. Known for his profound musical intellect and tireless work ethic, he bridges tradition and modernity, writing music that is at once intellectually disciplined and emotionally sincere. From his formative years in Sopron to his long-standing tenure at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music — where he served as professor and later rector — Soproni’s life has been inseparably linked with Hungary’s musical and academic heritage.

Product Features

• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 32
• Language: Hungarian
• Publisher: Magus Kiadó
• Year of Publication: 2000
• Series: Hungarian Composers – No. 11
• ISBN-13: 9789638278845
• Genre: Biography / Music History / 20th-Century Hungarian Music
• Country: Hungary

Interesting Facts

József Soproni’s artistic development was deeply shaped by his birthplace, Sopron, whose rich cultural heritage inspired both his music and his identity — symbolized by his self-chosen surname, “Soproni.”

A prolific composer, Soproni’s oeuvre encompasses nearly all musical forms: from solo piano pieces and chamber music to grand symphonies, concertos, cantatas, and operas. His Third Symphony, based on poems by László Nagy, and his Comments on a Theme by Händel demonstrate his mastery of large-scale form and emotional depth.

His notable works include the First Cello Concerto (dedicated to his mother), the First Piano Concerto (to his wife), the Missa Scarbantiensis, Missa Gurcensis, and the cantata Ovidii Metamorphoses. His piano cycles — Invenzioni sul B-A-C-H, Incrustations, and Notebook Pages — reveal both craftsmanship and reverence for the musical past.

As a teacher, Soproni combined precision with human warmth. His counterpoint lessons were renowned for blending technical mastery with living musicianship. He nurtured generations of composers and thinkers, influencing Hungary’s postwar musical culture as both educator and rector (1988–1994) of the Liszt Academy of Music.

Honored with Hungary’s most prestigious awards — including the Erkel Prize, Kossuth Prize, and Bartók–Pásztory Prize (twice) — Soproni remains a symbol of integrity, intellectual clarity, and enduring artistic faith.

Publishers

Publisher: Magus Kiadó (Magus Publishing) Series: Hungarian Composers – 11 Country of Origin: Hungary Year: 2000

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