Vajda János
Composer
Place of Birth
Miskolc
Date of Birth
1949
8 October 1949 Miskolc
He studied at the conducting department of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music as pupil of István Párkai (1968-1973), then at the composing department as pupil of Emil Petrovics (1970-1975). He graduated in 1975, and between 1979 and 1980 he took part in post graduate training at the Sweelinck Conservatory, Amsterdam, where he was pupil of Ton de Leeuw. From 1974 to 1979 he worked as répétiteur of the Hungarian Radio and Television Choir, since 1981 he’s been teacher of the Music Academy. At first he taught prosody and worked as assistant to Petrovics, and then he taught composing to his own class.
He is a versatile composer, who wrote theatrical works, grand orchestral and chamber works, as well as songs. Some of his operas are: Barabbas (1977), Mario and the Magician (1988), Leonce and Lena (1999), Mrs. Karnyo (2007). Orchestral works: Farewell, Retrograde symphony, Titanic, Last Minute Tour. Major oratorios: Magnificat, Missa in H, Via crucis, Pater noster. Chamber music: four string quartets, Sonata for violin and piano, Sonata for clarinet and piano, Duo (violin and cello), Sonata for piano, Sonata for viola.
János Vajda was honored with the Erkel Prize (1981), the Bartók-Pásztory Prize (1990) and the Kossuth Prize (2003).
He studied at the conducting department of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music as pupil of István Párkai (1968-1973), then at the composing department as pupil of Emil Petrovics (1970-1975). He graduated in 1975, and between 1979 and 1980 he took part in post graduate training at the Sweelinck Conservatory, Amsterdam, where he was pupil of Ton de Leeuw. From 1974 to 1979 he worked as répétiteur of the Hungarian Radio and Television Choir, since 1981 he’s been teacher of the Music Academy. At first he taught prosody and worked as assistant to Petrovics, and then he taught composing to his own class.
He is a versatile composer, who wrote theatrical works, grand orchestral and chamber works, as well as songs. Some of his operas are: Barabbas (1977), Mario and the Magician (1988), Leonce and Lena (1999), Mrs. Karnyo (2007). Orchestral works: Farewell, Retrograde symphony, Titanic, Last Minute Tour. Major oratorios: Magnificat, Missa in H, Via crucis, Pater noster. Chamber music: four string quartets, Sonata for violin and piano, Sonata for clarinet and piano, Duo (violin and cello), Sonata for piano, Sonata for viola.
János Vajda was honored with the Erkel Prize (1981), the Bartók-Pásztory Prize (1990) and the Kossuth Prize (2003).
| Year | Title | Publisher | Code | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Flowers, Chants, Hymn, Plays and Games for Cimbalom | Hungaroton | SLPX 12755 | LP |
| 1990 |
Vajda János: Mario és a varázsló
(Vajda, János: Mario and the Magican) |
Hungaroton | HCD 31122 |
Own |
| 1995 |
Magyar kompozíciók zongorára
(Hungarian Piano Music) |
Hungaroton | HCD 31608 | |
| 1999 |
Perényi Eszternek ajánlva
(Dedicated to Eszter Perényi) |
Hungaroton | HCD 31784 | |
| 2000 | Vajda János: Missa in A/ Orbán György: Missa Prima | Hungaroton | HCD 31929 | |
| 2001 |
Psy: A cimbalom varázsa
(Psy: Charm of the Cimbalom) |
Hungaroton | HCD 32015 | |
| 2003 |
Csellómánia
(Cellomania) |
Hungaroton | HCD 32108 | |
| 2003 |
Szent és profán - kortárs magyar kórusantológia
(Sacred & Profane - Hungarian Contemporary Choral Antology) |
Hungaroton | HCD 32195 | |
| 2004 | Music Colors - Hungarian Contemporary Music (1989-2004) | BMC HMIC | BMC PCD 015 | Not for sale - only for promotion |
| 2005 |
a la Carte - szólódarabok gordonkára
(a la Carte - Solo Works for Cello) |
Hungaroton | HCD 32288 | |
| 2008 | Kiss Gy. László: Transfiguratio | Hungaroton | HCD 32579 |
| Title | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Psalm 10 | Mixed choir | 0 |
| Psalm 117 | Mixed choir | 0 |
| Piano Sonata No. 2 | Instrumental solo | 1995 |
| 8 by Arany | Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) | 0 |
| The Imaginary Invalid or The Cabal of Hypocrites | Opera | 2020 |
| Addio | Choir a cappella | 1995 |
| Give me silence | Choir and solo instrument(s) | 2009 |
| Agnus Dei | Female choir | 1999 |
| Agnus Dei - Duet | Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) | 0 |
| All that Music | Chamber Music | 1981 |
| Alleluja | Mixed choir | 1983 |
| Apocryohal Tale: The Five Loaves | Opera | 2007 |
| Aurora | Mixed choir | 1998 |
| Ave Maria | Mixed choir | 1992 |
| Ave maris stella | Mixed choir | 1979 |
| Ave verum corpus in C | Mixed choir | 0 |
| Ave verum corpus in G | Mixed choir | 2013 |
| The Moment of Truth - Ceremony and ritual for Federico Garcia | Ballet / Choreographic work | 1980 |
| The Eternal Bassoonist | Chamber Music | 2014 |
| Bacchus | 1998 | |
| Barabbas | Opera | 1977 |
| Farewell | Symphony orchestra | 1980 |
| Cantus firmus - The retaining song | Solo voice(s), choir & orchestra | 0 |
| Capriccio | Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) | 1996 |
| Christmas Concerto | Solo voice(s), choir & orchestra | 1986 |
| Cello Concerto | Concerto | 2016 |
| De angelis | Live and tape music | 1980 |
| Deux Chansons | Mixed choir | 2014 |
| Deákpályám | Mixed choir | 0 |
| Die Vieren | Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) | 1998 |
| Don Cristóbal | Opera | 2013 |
| Don Juan´s Shadow Is Cast on Us | Ballet / Choreographic work | 1981 |
| Don Perlimplín | Opera | 2013 |
| Duet for Violin and Violoncello | Chamber Music | 1991 |
| First Version - Three Songs on Poems by Federico Garcia Lorca | Vocal music | 2008 |
| Forest | Children's choir | 1998 |
| Black Glory | Mixed choir | 1977 |
| Philharmonic Festive Overture | Symphony orchestra | 2019 |
| Five Songs | Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) | 2002 |
| Four First Songs | Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) | 1996 |
| Gloria | Female choir | 1999 |
| Goneril | Solo voice(s) with orchestra | 2024 |
| Gregorian Chant | Instrumental solo | 1984 |
| Time Drives | Mixed choir | 2014 |
| Mark the Music | Choir with accompaniment | 0 |
| Violon Concerto | Concerto | 1995 |
| Picture Postcard from Holland | Ensemble | 1979 |
| Three Songs of Our Lady | Mixed choir | 1997 |
| Three Songs to Words by Géza Szőcs | Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) | 1999 |
| Cantata No. 1 | Choir and solo instrument(s) | 1981 |
| String Quartet No. 1 | Chamber Music | 1994 |
| String Quartet No. 2 | Chamber Music | 1997 |
| Il barbiere di Szentendre / The Barbier of Szentendre | Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) | 2008 |
| Intermezzo | Chamber Music | 2015 |
| Intermezzo | String orchestra | 0 |
| Divine Song | Solo voice(s), choir & solo instrument(s) | 2017 |
| Iubilate Deo | Mixed choir | 0 |
| Glowing Planets | Ballet / Choreographic work | 1983 |
| Just for You | Instrumental solo | 1985 |
| Just for You No. 2 | Instrumental solo | 1987 |
| The Circus is Coming | Ballet / Choreographic work | 1984 |
| Chamber Symphony | String orchestra | 2001 |
| Mrs. Karnyó | Opera | 2004 |
| Double Concerto | Concerto | 1993 |
| Nine bagatelles | Mixed choir | 1995 |
| Christmas Song | Mixed choir | 1984 |
| Kyrie | Female choir | 1999 |
| Two Shakespeare Songs | Female choir | 1999 |
| Two Motets | Mixed choir | 2003 |
| Two Srping Songs | Female choir | 1990 |
| Two Tests | Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) | 1975 |
| Light Sonatina | Instrumental solo | 1989 |
| Interlude from the Opera Don Perlimplín | Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) | 0 |
| Lassúdan | Chamber Music | 2015 |
| Last Minute Tour | Symphony orchestra | 2009 |
| Leonce and Lena - Opera in Three Acts | Opera | 1996 |
| Magnificat | Solo voice(s), choir & solo instrument(s) | 1991 |
| Magnificat | Solo voice(s), choir & orchestra | 1991 |
| Mario and the Magician | Opera | 1985 |
| Mark the Music | Ensemble | 2002 |
| Missa brevis | Mixed choir | 1993 |
| Missa in A | Mixed choir | 1990 |
| Missa in D | Female choir | 1999 |
| Missa in H | Solo voice(s), choir & orchestra | 1998 |
| Movie-music | Chamber Music | 1981 |
| Musica sull´acqua | Chamber Music | 2014 |
| Nebenlieder | Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) | 1996 |
| Eight by Arany | Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) | 2018 |
| O Lux | Mixed choir | 1998 |
| O Lux | Female choir | 1996 |
| O magnum mysterium | Mixed choir | 1999 |
| O vos omnes | Mixed choir | 1994 |
| Pannonii carmen | Choir and chamber ensemble | 2011 |
| Pentaton in memoriam R.M. | Chamber orchestra | 1983 |
| Per archi | String orchestra | 2002 |
| Pieces symphoniques – des memoires de Mme Karnyó | Symphony orchestra | 2018 |
| Punctum finale | Mixed choir | 2010 |
| Quasi una fantasia | Ensemble | 2002 |
| Quodlibet | Symphony orchestra | 2012 |
| Rhapsody | Chamber orchestra | 2006 |
| Rhapsody | Mixed choir | 1986 |
| Requiem | Choir and solo instrument(s) | 2012 |
| Retrograde Symphony | Symphony orchestra | 1990 |
| Verse | Children's choir | 2000 |
| Rondo Grande | Symphony orchestra | 2001 |
| Brass-Suite | Chamber Music | 0 |
| Short Ones, Sad Ones | Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) | 2004 |
| Sanctus - Benedictus | Female choir | 1999 |
| Scherzo | Female choir | 0 |
| Secondary Songs | Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) | 1996 |
| Sequentia de Virgine Maria | Mixed choir | 1992 |
| Sequentia de Virgine Maria | Mixed choir | 1994 |
| Sinfonia, ma non troppo (Symphony but not much) | Symphony orchestra | 2010 |
| Sinfonietta | String orchestra | 2002 |
| Stabat Mater (In Memoriam Igor Stravinsky) | Solo voice(s), choir & chamber orchestra | 1978 |
| St. Peter and the Mercenaries | Solo voice(s), choir & orchestra | 0 |
| Sonatina | Chamber Music | 2011 |
| Sonata for Violin and Piano | Chamber Music | 1994 |
| Sonata for Solo Viola | Instrumental solo | 2002 |
| Sonata for Solo Cello | Instrumental solo | 2006 |
| Solo Sonata For Violin | Instrumental solo | 2010 |
| Te Deum | Solo voice(s), choir & orchestra | 0 |
| Te Deum 1914 | Solo voice(s), choir & orchestra | 0 |
| Terrific Songs | Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) | 1998 |
| The Big Band | Wind orchestra | 1989 |
| The Fours | Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) | 1997 |
| Three Songs on Poems of Paul Celan | Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) | 1998 |
| Titanic - it´s the water rules | Symphony orchestra | 2000 |
| Trio No. 2 | Chamber Music | 2012 |
| Tristis est anima mea | Mixed choir | 1982 |
| Two Mixed Choirs | Mixed choir | 1998 |
| Garden of Fairies | Mixed choir | 1998 |
| Variations | Symphony orchestra | 2003 |
| Concerto for Two Flutes and Strings | Concerto | 2004 |
| Via crucis | Choir and solo instrument(s) | 1983 |
| Variations | Instrumental solo | 1987 |
| Piano Sonata | Instrumental solo | 1996 |
| Piano Concerto | Concerto | 2024 |
| Song of Psalm | Solo voice(s), choir & orchestra | 1998 |
| Psalm Fragments | Choir and chamber orchestra | 1998 |
| Á la recherche... | Solo voice(s) with orchestra | 2014 |
| Dreams | Children's choir | 1978 |
| Once or never | Solo voice(s), choir & orchestra | 2002 |
| Autumn-Winter Melodies | Mixed choir | 2004 |