Istvánffy Benedek
Composer
Place of Birth
Győrszentmárton (Pannonhalma)
Date of Birth
1733
1733, Szentmárton – 25 October 1788, Győr
Benedek Istvánffy was one of the most talented Hungarian composers of the 18th century. His father was József Istvánffy, a musician at the court of the bishop of Veszprém and later at the Benedictine abbeys of Szentmárton (now Pannonhalma) and Bakonybél. He studied with the help of Count László Széchenyi, then worked in the Széchenyi castles in Sopron and Nagycenk.
From 1766 till his death he was organist and choirmaster of Győr Cathedral. He received his musical education at Kismarton, as a pupil of Gregor Joseph Werner. His copies, now held in the music library of Győr Cathedral, prove that he was very familiar with the music of the Esterhazy court, both the old and the contemporary repertoire.
Unfortunately, only twelve of his compositions are extant (and they were only performed within the narrow confines of Hungary), but their quality demonstrates his elevated style and excellent taste.
His two festival masses and ten smaller church pieces are sufficient to convince us of his melodic inventiveness, his mastery of form, and his rich harmonic language.
Benedek Istvánffy was one of the most talented Hungarian composers of the 18th century. His father was József Istvánffy, a musician at the court of the bishop of Veszprém and later at the Benedictine abbeys of Szentmárton (now Pannonhalma) and Bakonybél. He studied with the help of Count László Széchenyi, then worked in the Széchenyi castles in Sopron and Nagycenk.
From 1766 till his death he was organist and choirmaster of Győr Cathedral. He received his musical education at Kismarton, as a pupil of Gregor Joseph Werner. His copies, now held in the music library of Győr Cathedral, prove that he was very familiar with the music of the Esterhazy court, both the old and the contemporary repertoire.
Unfortunately, only twelve of his compositions are extant (and they were only performed within the narrow confines of Hungary), but their quality demonstrates his elevated style and excellent taste.
His two festival masses and ten smaller church pieces are sufficient to convince us of his melodic inventiveness, his mastery of form, and his rich harmonic language.
| Year | Title | Publisher | Code | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Istvánffy Benedek: Missa Sanctificabis Annum Quinquagesium | Hungaroton | HCD 31723 |
Own |
| 1998 |
Istvánffy Benedek: Szent Benedek mise; Kraus, Joseph Martin: Requiem
(Istvánffy: Messa dedicata al patriarcha Santo Benedetto) |
Hungaroton | HCD 31782 |
Own |
| 2001 |
50 éves a Hungaroton - Karmesterek (1951-2001)
(Fifty Years of Hungaroton - Conductors, 1951-2001) |
Hungaroton | HCD 32074-77 | 4 CDs |
| Title | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Adeste, triumphate - Christus surrexit | Choir and chamber orchestra | 0 |
| Antiphona: Alma Redemptoris Mater | Choir and chamber orchestra | 0 |
| Ave o crux - Offertorium | Choir and chamber orchestra | 0 |
| Decora lux aeternitatis - Hymnus | Choir and chamber orchestra | 0 |
| Gloria | Choral music | 0 |
| Jam virga Jesse florescit | Choir and chamber orchestra | 0 |
| Messe de anno 1774 in pieno choro "Sanctificabis annum quinquagesimum" vel S. Dorotheae | Choir and orchestra | 1774 |
| Missa dedicata al patriarcha Santo Benedetto | Choir and chamber orchestra | 0 |
| Offertorium de Beata Virgine Maria | Choir and chamber orchestra | 0 |
| Rorate coeli desuper - Introtius | Choir and chamber orchestra | 0 |
| Te Joseph celebrent - Hymnus | Choir and chamber orchestra | 0 |
| Veni Sancte Spiritus - Alleluja | Choir and chamber orchestra | 0 |
| Veni Sancte Spiritus - Alleluja | Choir and chamber orchestra | 0 |
| Five Monologues to Poems by János Parancs | Solo voice(s) with orchestra | 1972 |