Artist database

This is the Artist Database of BMC, which includes information about composers, musicians, orchestras, choirs and groups that are either Hungarian or Hungarian by origin or live in Hungary, as well as information about releases recorded with them.

Sáry László


Composer

Place of Birth
Győrasszonyfa
Date of Birth
1940
Web

 
1 January 1940, Győr

Composer, music teacher, founding member of New Music Studio.

In 1966 he graduated in composing at the Ferenc Liszt Music Academy, where his master was Endre Szervánszky. Encouraged by Albert Simon, he founded the New Music Studio together with Zoltán Jeney, László Vidovszky, Péter Eötvös and Zoltán Kocsis, László Sáry and László Vidovszky in 1970. The studio soon became an internationally renowned workshop for composers and performers, and introduced more than 600 contemporary music works between 1972 and 1990. He took part in the activity of the Studio as composer and as performer of his own and other composers’ works. In both capacities he’s been on stage in many countries.

He got familiar with the music and ideas of Christian Wolff when he visited Darmstadt in 1972. This encounter strengthened his decision to find such ways of composing which differ from the traditional European practice. The first product of this change was Sounds for…, composed in 1972. Since the early ‘80s he regularly composes music for theaters as well.

From the mid ‘70s he has started to work out his special creative music exercises called “Sáry-method”, which is engaged in the basics of the new musical thinking, gives directions to certain composing methods and improves improvisational skills and concentration. He has tried and still uses his pedagogical method with music school children and students of the University of Theater. He held a number of courses for music teachers in Japan, England, France, Italy, Belgium and Estonia.

Since 1990 he’s been music director of the József Katona Theater. His lately finished mystery play, chamber opera and petit opera prove his growing interest in stage works. As composer, László Sáry has received a number of requests, recently from a Japanese city, Shizuoka. On this occasion he composed his Labyrinth for string quartet and two marimbas. From 1994 he has taken part in an initiative of Lord Yehudi Menuhin, the MUSE project (source of music, balance and tolerance), which is a teaching method based on music, singing, dancing and exercise for disadvantaged children.

In 1996 he spent three months in Tokio as scholarship holder of the Japan Foundation and studied traditional Japanese theater, dance and music. He composed more than eighty works from chamber music through chamber opera to orchestral works. At the moment he is working on the complementation and printing of his new music pedagogical method.

In 1998 his symphony Steam Engine won third prize at the 7th International Electroacoustic Contest (IREN). He became ordinary member of the Szécheny Academy of Letters and Arts in 1999. The activity of László Sáry was honored with the Kassák Prize (1979), the Erkel Prize (1986), the Bartók-Pásztory Award (1993), the titles Merited Artist (2000) and Excellent Artist (2008).
 
Year Title Publisher Code Remark
1978 Mai magyar cimbalomművek
(Contemporary Hungarian Cimbalom Music)
Hungaroton SLPX 11899 LP
1979 Mai magyar művek cimbalomra
(Contemporary Hungarian Cimbalom Music 2.)
Hungaroton SLPX 12012 LP
1987 Amadinda Hungaroton SLPD 12800 LP / Reissue on CD: HCD 12855 (1994)
1994 Amadinda Hungaroton HCD 12855 Reissue of Hungaroton SLPD 12800 (1987)
1995 Hommage Magyar Rádió MR 011 4 CDs
1996 Sáry László: Az idő szava; Az ismétlődő ötös; stb.
(Sáry, László: The Voice of Time; Five Repeated; etc.)
Hungaroton HCD 31643 Own
1997 Magyar hangtájak I.
(Hungarian Soundscapes I.)
HEAR Studio-Hung. Rad. HEAR 101
1997 Kortárs magyar zene fagottra és zongorára
(Contemporary Hungarian Music for Basson and Piano)
Hungaroton HCD 31725
1998 Kortárs liturgikus magyar zene
(Contemporary Hungarian Lithurgic Music)
Hungaroton HCD 31770
1998 Sáry László: Lokomotív Szimfónia
(Locomotive Symphony)
BMC Records BMC CD 010 Own
2001 Psy: A cimbalom varázsa
(Psy: Charm of the Cimbalom)
Hungaroton HCD 32015
2001 Vékony Ildikó: Szálkák
(Vékony, Ildikó: Splinters)
BMC Records BMC CD046
2002 Kurtág, Szőllősy, Sáry, Serei, Sári, Gyöngyössy BMC Records BMC CD 074
2002 Dervistánc
(Dervish Dance)
BMC Records BMC CD 059
2003 Trio Lignum: Offertorium BMC Records BMC CD 090
2003 Sáry László: Tánczene
(Dance Music)
BMC Records BMC CD 069 Own
2004 Sáry László: Ütőhangszeres kompozíciók
(Sáry, László: Works for Percussion)
Hungaroton HCD 32179 Own
2004 Music Colors - Hungarian Contemporary Music (1989-2004) BMC HMIC BMC PCD 015 Not for sale - only for promotion
2005 A 70-es évek kortárs magyar szerzőinek közös művei
(Joint works of contemporary Hungarian composers from the 1970's)
BMC Records BMC CD 116
2008 Sáry László: Niagara BMC Records BMC CD 146 Own
 
Title Type Year
... for Violoncello or Viola Instrumental solo 1977
...and the Sun? Chamber Music 1986
12 Haiku Choir a cappella 1997
45 !to be determined 2018
Mutations of the Sounds of Speech I-II-III Solo voice(s), choir & orchestra 1979
The annals of nature Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) 1999
The Annals of Nature Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) 1999
Adorjáns and Jenős Opera 1994
Air - Hommage a E. G. Chamber Music 0
Antigone Film music 2010
Ave Maria Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) 1999
Song Of The Deserted Garden I., II., III. Chamber Music 1989
The Voice of Time Solo voice(s) with ensemble 1988
Organplaying of Heaven Chamber Music 2003
Flowers of Heaven Chamber Music 1973
Blues Chamber Music 1990
Canone Unspecified instrument(s) 1977
Cantata Doroghiensis de Eucharistia Solo voice(s), choir & chamber orchestra 2020
Canzone solenne Symphony orchestra 1970
Cimbalom Quintet Chamber Music 2023
Collage Instrumental solo 1974
Concerto Classico Chamber orchestra 1980
Concerto for Obligate Saxophones Concerto 1993
Contrapunctus floridus Chamber Music 2003
Drop by Drop Unspecified instrument(s) 1975
Snail Play Unspecified instrument(s) 1975
December 27 Chamber Music 1978
December 27 Chamber Music 1978
Diana´s Farewell Chamber orchestra 1976
Discussions Chamber orchestra 1979
Drum and Dance Female choir 1975
Concert for Drums Chamber Music 1997
Dramatic Story Instrumental solo 1996
Dózsa 1514 Film music 2014
Echo-rag Chamber Music 0
Scenario of a Series of Chords Chamber Music 1982
Mouse-chewed Tale Chamber Music 1995
El viaje definitivo / The Final Journey Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) 1992
Prelude and Six Miniatures Chamber Music 1982
Memory Instrumental solo 0
Studies on Steam Engines Tape music 1996
Finno-Ugric Oratorio Solo voice(s), choir & chamber orchestra 2016
Fluttuazioni Chamber Music 1968
Fons Vitae Chamber Music 2014
For Viola or Cello Instrumental solo 1977
Refractions Ensemble 2018
Gaga Chamber Music 1975
Exercise On Six Notes Unspecified instrument(s) 1978
Plasticine, Theatre, Hamburg Film music 1985
VOICES IN WHITE Choir a cappella 1975
Bells(ounds) in the Evening Wind Chamber Music 2007
Sound Square No. 1 Unspecified instrument(s) 1973
Harmony Instrumental solo 1997
Hexagramm Choir and solo instrument(s) 1988
Moon Song Choir with solo voice(s) 1982
Moon-dog Chamber Music 1990
Hommage à Dohnányi Chamber Music 1979
Hommage à Dohnányi Chamber Music 1977
Hommage à Kurtág Live and tape music 1975
Hommage a Dohnányi Chamber Music 1979
Hommage aux Ancetres Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) 1971
Hommage á Kassák Chamber Music 2003
HÖLDERLIN´S TOWER Chamber Music 1985
Three Madrigals Solo voice(s) a cappella 1966
Hyperion´s Song of Destiny String orchestra 1986
Cantata No. 1 Solo voice(s), choir & solo instrument(s) 1968
IMITATIO HOMOPHONA Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) 1982
IN ALL ETERNITY Chamber Music 1986
Image Chamber Music 1972
Imago Mundi Ballet / Choreographic work 1996
Imitatio in unisono Chamber Music 2003
Immaginario No. 1 Symphony orchestra 1970
In C Chamber Music 2009
In Sol Solo voice(s) with chamber orchestra 1991
In memoriam Igor Stravinsky Wind orchestra 1980
Incanto Solo voice(s) a cappella 1969
Incanto Chamber Music 1969
Inter Images Film music 1990
Invocatio / Invocation Chamber Music 2008
Fives Repeated Chamber Music 1985
Kalmen - 5 Songs on the Poems by Frank Schablewski Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) 2012
Chamber Music - For Optional Ensembles (Musical Board Games, Creative Musical Exercises) Chamber Music 2012
Cross Canon (Hommage a Z. Gyöngyössy) Chamber Music 2012
Cherubs and Seraphs Male choir 2010
Duet Chamber Music 0
Duet Chamber Music 2001
Double Quartet Chamber Music 2012
Double Infinity Chamber Music 1995
Additions Chamber Music 2019
Koan bel canto Instrumental solo 1979
Collage Instrumental solo 0
Pebble Playing in a Pot - 1st version Unspecified instrument(s) 1978
Pebble Playing in a Pot - 2nd version Chamber Music 1979
Creative Music Activities II. Other 2005
Chromatic Games Chamber Music 2002
Quartets for Don Juan Chamber Music 0
Canon to the Rising Sun Choir a cappella 1982
For Two Players Chamber Music 0
Two Movements for Double String Orchestra String orchestra 1983
Circle - For Piano Instrumental solo 2006
Approaches to a Found Object Film music 1991
Labyrinth Ballet / Choreographic work 2008
Labyrinth Chamber Music 1995
Lamento Solo voice(s) a cappella 1965
Les Adieux (Hommage a P. Halász) Chamber Music 2010
Lied in Lyd Choir with solo voice(s) 1975
Locomotive Symphony Tape music 1997
Ludus Cromaticus Chamber Music 1987
Ludus choralis String orchestra 2013
Ludus tonalis String orchestra 2013
Magnificat Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) 1982
Hungarian Mass Male choir 1967
A Tale in 14 Poems Chamber Music 2023
There´s only every what there is Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) 2005
Miniatures Solo voice(s) with ensemble 1989
Mass Mixed choir 1990
Miserere - Prayer of Saint Ephraim Male choir 2019
Now But a Dog Choir and chamber orchestra 1992
Musica per 24 archi e 24 fiati / Music for 24 Strings and 24 Winds Orchestral work 1977
Mythen Chamber Music 2009
Grandmother´s Dance Chamber Music 2019
Sunflowers Instrumental solo 1989
Niagara Instrumental solo 1992
Niagara Variations Chamber Music 2003
Nomadic Tale - Chamber Opera Opera 2006
Negros - Opera Opera 2004
Four Silent Songs Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) 1999
Four Victorian Phantom-Pictures Tape music 1983
Four for Us Chamber Music 2007
O Salutaris Hostia Mixed choir 1995
Omphale´s Spinning Wheel Chamber Music 1985
Oratorio Choir and orchestra 2018
Pentagramm Chamber Music 1982
Pezzo Concertato Chamber Music 1968
Polyphonie for 28 Instruments Chamber orchestra 1986
Polyrhythmia Chamber Music 1979
Prelude Chamber Music 1981
Psalmus Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) 1972
Parallel Movements Orchestral work 1981
Quartetto Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) 1968
Great Sound in the Running Around Opera 2004
Ricordanza - For Piano Instrumental solo 2008
Rottenbiller Street 16-22 Live electronic music 1990
Rácz-walk Instrumental solo 1998
SCALES AND CHORDS Chamber Music 1977
STRING QUARTET IN FOUR MOVEMENTS Chamber Music 1986
Sing for the God a New Song Chamber Music 2005
Socrates´ Last Teaching Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) 1980
Sonanti No. 1 Instrumental solo 1969
Sonanti No. 2 Chamber Music 1970
Sonanti No. 3 Instrumental solo 1971
Sounds for ... Unspecified instrument(s) 1972
Fragments Instrumental solo 1976
Symphony in 4 Movements Chamber Music 0
Sáry´s Method Other 1998
Old Man with Tambura Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) 2017
Studies for Two Flutes Chamber Music 1988
Full Moon Ensemble 1986
The Echoing Green - Hommage á William Blake Chamber Music 1982
Theomachia - Oratorio Drama Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) 2002
Mayfly No. 2 Chamber Music 1984
Mayfly No. 2 String orchestra 2004
Tranquility (Reminiscences of a Japanese garden) Ensemble 1996
Triptych - In memoriam Ildikó Vékony Chamber Music 2011
Tropus and Sequenz Chamber Music 2006
Landscape in C Unspecified instrument(s) 1982
Dance Music Chamber Music 2000
Dance Music - Blues I Chamber Music 1989
Dance Music - Blues II Chamber Music 1989
Dance Music - Blues III Chamber Music 1989
Dance Music - Broadway Boogie-Woogie Instrumental solo 1991
Dance Music - Echo Rag I Instrumental solo 1989
Dance Music - Echo Rag II Chamber Music 1989
Dance Music - Echo Rag III Chamber Music 1989
Dance Music - Souvenir Instrumental solo 1987
Dance Music - Kind of a Waltz for Esterházy Chamber Music 1989
Dance Music - Slow and Brisk Instrumental solo 1989
Dance Music - Hungarian Dance ´95 Instrumental solo 1995
Dance Music - Grandmother´s Dance Live and tape music 1998
Dance Music - Tango Instrumental solo 1989
Theme and Variations for the Birthday of My Brother Jóska !to be determined 2020
Mirror Images Orchestral work 1986
Undisturbed Live and tape music 1974
Journey to Ixtlan Solo voice(s) with ensemble 1980
Variazioni Chamber Music 1965
Variations on 14 Pitches Choir and chamber orchestra 0
Variations on 14 Pitches Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) 1974
Variations on the Rhythm of Tikta Music Chamber Music 0
Variations on a Dance Rhythm Chamber Music 1998
Variations for String Quartet Chamber Music 1986
Versetti Chamber Music 1966
Versetti nuovi Instrumental solo 1971
Flashes Instrumental solo 1972
Voices Chamber Music 1975
VARIATIONS ON A THEME BY VIDOVSZKY Instrumental solo 1983
Waltz - Hommage a M.B. Chamber Music 0
Wheeling Unspecified instrument(s) 1973
Windrose Chamber Music 1999
Musical Parlour Game Unspecified instrument(s) 1998
Psalm Canon - Sing to the Lord Male choir 2019
catacoustics Chamber Music 1967
Air - Hommage a E. G. !to be determined 0
Aria and Valzer Chamber Music 2000
Shadowplay Chamber Music 2010
Tableaux vivants / Living Pictures - chamber opera in one act Opera 1993
Song from the Coldhearted King - Chamber Opera Opera 2006
Song to God´s Mother, Virgin Mary Choir with solo voice(s) 2012
ODE ON THE DEATH OF A BLACKBIRD Chamber Music 1982
Five Melancholic Songs Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) 1982