Petrovics Emil
Composer
Place of Birth
Nagybecskerek [Zrenjanin], Jugoszlávia [ma Szerbia]
Date of Birth
1930
9 February 1930 Nagybecskerek [Zrenjanin], Yugoslavia [now Serbia] - 30 June 2011
Composer, one of the most well-known members of the post-war Hungarian composer generation. His wide-ranging oeuvre, being independent from style trends and composer groups, has been mainly inspired by folk music and city folklore.
He was born in a family of musicians; his grandfather on his mother’s side was conductor and organist of the Catholic church in Nagybecskerek. With his mother he moved to and settled down in Hungary after the outbreak of the Second World War. He studied at the composing department of the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music as pupil of Ferenc Farkas. He graduated in 1957 and his compositions for this occasion (Flute Concerto, Cantata No. 1.) are popular interpretation pieces up to now.
In 1955 he came in first place with his composition „Serbian folk songs” at the International Composers’ Competition in Warsaw. In 1959 he won the International Composers’ Competition in Liège with his String Quartet No. 1.
In the early ’50s he was conductor of the factory orchestra of the Szikra Press in Budapest and from 1960 to 1964 he was music director of the Petőfi Theater of the capital. From 1964 he had taught at the University of Theater and Film, and from 1968 at the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music, where in 1979 he became leader of the composing department.
His breakthrough as composer was the opera C’est la guerre (1961). After the premiére the work has been also presented in Nizza, Rostock, Obernhausen, the former Yugoslavia and in the Soviet Union. A similarly important work is the oratorio composed on the text of Jónás könyve (Book of Jonah) by Mihály Babits. Other scenic works are the concert-comic opera Lysistrate (1962), the opera Crime and Punishment (1967-1968) and the dance play Salome.
He composed choral works (these are primarily cantatas composed after the works of Hungarian writers and poets), orchestral works and concertos like Concerto per flauto ed orchestra (1957), Simfonia per archi (1964), Concertino for trumpet and orchestra (1990), Vörösmarty Overture (1993), Lament and meditative - two interludes for string orchestra (1997), Piano concerto (1999), Symphony for grand orchestra No. 2. (2002), Concerto grosso for string orchestra (2004), various compositions for ensemble, chamber orchestra and solo instruments like Cassazione for brass winds (1953), String quintet No. 1. (1959), Four self-portraits in disguise - for harpsichord (1958), Passacaglia in blues - for bassoon and piano (1964), Wind Quintet - for woodwinds (1964), Deux mouvements - for cimbalom (1974), Hungarian children’s songs - for flute and piano (1974), Rhapsody No. 1. - for solo violin (1982), Rhapsody No. 2. - for solo viola (1983), Rhapsody No. 2/a. - for solo cello (1990), String quartet No 2. (1991) and Passamezzo e saltarello - for solo violin and percussion ensemble (2003). These compositions are well-known and popular works at Hungarian and international music competitions. Moreover, he also composed incidental music to about 30 films.
His monograph on Maurice Ravel was released in 1959, while the two volumes of his biography „Self portrait - without a disguise” were released in 2007-2008. Petrovics played a pre-eminent role in the public life of Hungarian art: he was director general of the Hungarian State Opera House (1986-1990 and 2003-2005) and Member of Parliament (1967-1985).
From 1967 to 1999 he worked as president of Artisjus (Hungarian organization for author’s rights) as well. He became member of the Széchenyi Academy for Letters and Arts (1993) and the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (1991).
In recognition of his work he was awarded with the Erkel Prize (1960 and 1963), the title Merited Artist (1982), the Bartók-Pásztory Award (1989 and 2000), the Kossuth Prize (1966 and 2006) and the Middle Cross of the Order of Merit with the Star from the Hungarian Republic (2005).
Composer, one of the most well-known members of the post-war Hungarian composer generation. His wide-ranging oeuvre, being independent from style trends and composer groups, has been mainly inspired by folk music and city folklore.
He was born in a family of musicians; his grandfather on his mother’s side was conductor and organist of the Catholic church in Nagybecskerek. With his mother he moved to and settled down in Hungary after the outbreak of the Second World War. He studied at the composing department of the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music as pupil of Ferenc Farkas. He graduated in 1957 and his compositions for this occasion (Flute Concerto, Cantata No. 1.) are popular interpretation pieces up to now.
In 1955 he came in first place with his composition „Serbian folk songs” at the International Composers’ Competition in Warsaw. In 1959 he won the International Composers’ Competition in Liège with his String Quartet No. 1.
In the early ’50s he was conductor of the factory orchestra of the Szikra Press in Budapest and from 1960 to 1964 he was music director of the Petőfi Theater of the capital. From 1964 he had taught at the University of Theater and Film, and from 1968 at the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music, where in 1979 he became leader of the composing department.
His breakthrough as composer was the opera C’est la guerre (1961). After the premiére the work has been also presented in Nizza, Rostock, Obernhausen, the former Yugoslavia and in the Soviet Union. A similarly important work is the oratorio composed on the text of Jónás könyve (Book of Jonah) by Mihály Babits. Other scenic works are the concert-comic opera Lysistrate (1962), the opera Crime and Punishment (1967-1968) and the dance play Salome.
He composed choral works (these are primarily cantatas composed after the works of Hungarian writers and poets), orchestral works and concertos like Concerto per flauto ed orchestra (1957), Simfonia per archi (1964), Concertino for trumpet and orchestra (1990), Vörösmarty Overture (1993), Lament and meditative - two interludes for string orchestra (1997), Piano concerto (1999), Symphony for grand orchestra No. 2. (2002), Concerto grosso for string orchestra (2004), various compositions for ensemble, chamber orchestra and solo instruments like Cassazione for brass winds (1953), String quintet No. 1. (1959), Four self-portraits in disguise - for harpsichord (1958), Passacaglia in blues - for bassoon and piano (1964), Wind Quintet - for woodwinds (1964), Deux mouvements - for cimbalom (1974), Hungarian children’s songs - for flute and piano (1974), Rhapsody No. 1. - for solo violin (1982), Rhapsody No. 2. - for solo viola (1983), Rhapsody No. 2/a. - for solo cello (1990), String quartet No 2. (1991) and Passamezzo e saltarello - for solo violin and percussion ensemble (2003). These compositions are well-known and popular works at Hungarian and international music competitions. Moreover, he also composed incidental music to about 30 films.
His monograph on Maurice Ravel was released in 1959, while the two volumes of his biography „Self portrait - without a disguise” were released in 2007-2008. Petrovics played a pre-eminent role in the public life of Hungarian art: he was director general of the Hungarian State Opera House (1986-1990 and 2003-2005) and Member of Parliament (1967-1985).
From 1967 to 1999 he worked as president of Artisjus (Hungarian organization for author’s rights) as well. He became member of the Széchenyi Academy for Letters and Arts (1993) and the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (1991).
In recognition of his work he was awarded with the Erkel Prize (1960 and 1963), the title Merited Artist (1982), the Bartók-Pásztory Award (1989 and 2000), the Kossuth Prize (1966 and 2006) and the Middle Cross of the Order of Merit with the Star from the Hungarian Republic (2005).
| Title | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Jóka´s Devil | Film music | 1964 |
| The Boys from Paul Street | Film music | 1968 |
| From the Cradle to the School | Film music | 1960 |
| The Testament of the Aga of Koppány | Film music | 1967 |
| The Fleeing Prince | Film music | 1972 |
| Friendship, the Oldest Craft | Film music | 1970 |
| The Student | Film music | 1977 |
| Abelard and Heloise | Music for the theater | 1974 |
| Antonius and Cleopatra | Music for the theater | 1974 |
| Picture of a Woman on the Folding Screen | Music for radio drama | 1966 |
| Games Lost | Music for radio drama | 1956 |
| The Tragedy of Man | Music for the theater | 1980 |
| The Real Sky-Blue | Film music | 1957 |
| Death of the Doctor | Film music | 1965 |
| The Last But One | Film music | 1963 |
| The Last Circle | Film music | 1968 |
| Promised Land | Film music | 1961 |
| Diary of a Madman | Music for radio drama | 1965 |
| Man Without a Name | Film music | 1975 |
| Ballad | Solo voice(s) a cappella | 1963 |
| Barcsai´s Lover, Op. 7 | Ballet / Choreographic work | 1958 |
| Borika´s Guests | Film music | 1967 |
| Bubbles | Music for radio drama | 1971 |
| Bunbury | Music for radio drama | 1984 |
| Bunbury | Music for the theater | 1956 |
| Crime and Punishment, Op. 19 | Opera | 1968 |
| Cassazione, Op. 1 | Chamber Music | 1953 |
| Concertino, Op. 38 | Concerto | 1990 |
| Concerto grosso, Op.50 | String orchestra | 2004 |
| Concerto, Op. 5 | Concerto | 1957 |
| C´est la guerre, Op. 11 | Opera | 1961 |
| Dankuro the Pigeon | Music for radio drama | 1966 |
| The Death of Danton | Music for the theater | 1963 |
| Deux Mouvements, Op. 24 | Chamber Music | 1973 |
| Divertimento, Op. 20 | Mixed choir | 1971 |
| Doctor Nobody | Film music | 1979 |
| Dóra Reports | Film music | 1978 |
| A Man Who Does Not Exist | Film music | 1963 |
| One Hour - Three Faces | Film music | 1972 |
| Engagement | Film music | 1959 |
| Black Diamonds | Film music | 1976 |
| Children Painting | Film music | 1959 |
| Eternal Light Inn | Film music | 1981 |
| Wind Quintet, Op. 16 | Chamber Music | 1964 |
| Gulliver in Lilliput | Music for the theater | 1965 |
| On Foot to the Heaven | Film music | 1959 |
| Curly Sheeps, Op. 3 | Solo voice(s) a cappella | 1955 |
| It is Dawning | Ballet / Choreographic work | 1959 |
| Hamlet | Music for the theater | 1977 |
| Harlequin and His Lover | Film music | 1966 |
| At the Time of Wilting, Op. 35 | Female choir | 1985 |
| Bridges, Banks, People | Film music | 1962 |
| Backwaters | Film music | 1967 |
| Three Songs, Op. 2 | Solo voice(s) a cappella | 1954 |
| Away From Each Other For Twenty Years | Film music | 1962 |
| Cantata No. 1, Op. 4 (Alone in the Forrest) | Solo voice(s) with ensemble | 1956 |
| String Quartet No. 1, Op. 10 | Chamber Music | 1959 |
| King Louis II | Music for the theater | 1972 |
| Rhapsody No. 2, Op. 31 | Instrumental solo | 1983 |
| Cantata No. 2, Op. 21 (Let Me Die There...) | Choir and orchestra | 1973 |
| Symphony No. 2, Op. 48 | Symphony orchestra | 2001 |
| String Quartet No. 2, Op. 39 | Chamber Music | 1991 |
| Cantata No. 3, Op. 26 (Fanny´s legacy) | Solo voice(s) with chamber orchestra | 1978 |
| String Quartet No. 3 | Chamber Music | 0 |
| Cantata No. 4, Op. 28 (We Shall All Be Gone) | Choir and chamber orchestra | 1980 |
| Cantata No. 9, Op. 45 (At the Danube) | Solo voice(s) with orchestra | 1998 |
| Autumn Star | Film music | 1962 |
| The Wind is Playing, Op. 6 | Mixed choir | 1957 |
| Diversion the Museum | Film music | 1965 |
| Book of Jonah, Op. 17 | Solo voice(s), choir & orchestra | 1966 |
| Saber and Dice | Film music | 1959 |
| Two Worlds | Ballet / Choreographic work | 1958 |
| The Phantom on Horseback | Film music | 1976 |
| Temptation | Film music | 1977 |
| Kid | Film music | 1959 |
| Lamentation Song (Over Imogen´s Grave), Op. 37 | Female choir | 1987 |
| Slow Dancing Tune, Op. 23 | Mixed choir | 1974 |
| King Lear | Music for the theater | 1977 |
| Fan | Film music | 1960 |
| Stolen Happiness | Film music | 1962 |
| Lysistraté, Op. 12 | Opera | 1962 |
| Madrigal, Chanson and Rhapsody, Op. 33 | Mixed choir | 1984 |
| Hungarian Children´s Songs, Op. 22 | Chamber Music | 1974 |
| Hugs Killed | Ballet / Choreographic work | 1972 |
| So Many, Op. 25 | Female choir | 1976 |
| Tale of the Five Little Chinamen | Film music | 1957 |
| The Legend About the Death and Resurrection of Two Young Men | Film music | 1971 |
| What Will Become of You, Esther? | Film music | 1968 |
| By the Time We Get Old | Film music | 1978 |
| Mireio | Music for radio drama | 1955 |
| Where Was Your Majesty Between 3:00 and 5:00? | Film music | 1964 |
| Why? | Film music | 1966 |
| Metropolis | Mixed choir | 1964 |
| Solstice | Film music | 1978 |
| La musicien par lui-méme, en quatre masques, Op. 8 / Four Masked Self-Portraits, Op. 8 | Instrumental solo | 1958 |
| Othello | Music for the theater | 1973 |
| Passacaglia in Blues, Op. 14 | Chamber Music | 1964 |
| Passamezzo & Saltarello, Op. 49 | Chamber Music | 0 |
| One Day More, One Day Less | Film music | 1972 |
| Children are Drawing | Film music | 1959 |
| Rhapsody No. 2/a, Op. 32 | Instrumental solo | 1990 |
| Rhapsody, Op. 30 | Instrumental solo | 1982 |
| Salome | Music for the theater | 1978 |
| Salome | Film music | 1982 |
| Shakespeare Song Book, Op. 52 | Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) | 2010 |
| Sinfonina per archi, Op. 13 | String orchestra | 1964 |
| Lament and Meditation, Op. 44 | String orchestra | 1997 |
| A Volley for a Black Buffalo | Film music | 1984 |
| The Sorrow of King Neverbeen | Film music | 1962 |
| The Margaret Island is Free | Ballet / Choreographic work | 1959 |
| Serenade for Horn and Piano, Op. 40 | Chamber Music | 1993 |
| Hello, Vera | Film music | 1967 |
| Terta Magnetophone | Film music | 1956 |
| Triangulum, Op. 9 | Mixed choir | 1958 |
| Fire Balls | Film music | 1975 |
| Cantata No. 5, Op. 29 (Letters from Turkey) | Solo voice(s) with chamber orchestra | 1981 |
| Cantata No. 6, Op.36 - "We Will Rest!" | Solo voice(s), choir & orchestra | 1986 |
| Cantata No. 7, Op. 42 (Pygmalion) | Solo voice(s) with orchestra | 1995 |
| Cantata No. 8, Op. 43 (Lament and Consolation) | Solo voice(s) a cappella | 1996 |
| Vörösmarty - Overture, Op. 41 | Orchestral work | 1993 |
| Yerma | Music for the theater | 1965 |
| Piano Concerto, Op. 46 | Concerto | 1999 |
| Zrínyi | Music for the theater | 1954 |
| April Alarm | Film music | 1961 |
| Der satanarchäolügenialkohöllische Wunschpunsch | Music for the theater | 1993 |
| Sweet and Bitter | Film music | 1964 |
| Window to the Sky | Film music | 1961 |
| Klára Élő | Film music | 1970 |
| Song of Songs | Music for radio drama | 1963 |
| I Am Upset For You | Film music | 1967 |
| Music of Seasons, Op. 18 | Female choir | 1967 |
| Ode to Ferenc Liszt, Op. 47 | Choir and solo instrument(s) | 2000 |
| New Gilgames | Film music | 1963 |