UNIVERSITY OF DEBRECEN
& DEBRECEN SUMMER SCHOOL
Hungarian Music History:
The Colorful Story of a Nation
3–16 August 2014
60 classes, 6 ECTS credits
Course Description:
One of the most important Central European countries, Hungary has an impressive history of
music spanning centuries from the Middle Ages to the present. Music has always represented a
crucial facet of Magyar identity. The 19th century was an especially important era in this respect.
This is when Hungarian national opera was born. The novel genre featured all relevant traits of
the national character, which lent a new color to the Romantic music scene in contemporary
Europe. Franz Liszt, the famous composer and pianist, and other influential musicians also got
very much involved in the development of a national music vernacular against a backdrop of
strong German influence. The turn of the 19th and 20th centuries is another crucial crossroads
in our music history. By collecting and making accessible thousands of samples of Magyar folk
music, Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály helped Europeans explore a new and (to use Bartók’s
coinage) “clean source.” Both instrumental and vocal music assumed their place at the highest
echelons of the continent’s music culture. This breathed life into generations’ worth of Magyar
music of its own right. The status of music pedagogy also rose very quickly in the 20th century
resulting in a world-famous system of education facilities. The course is designed to present this
rich history and highlight its links with various branches of performing and visual arts.
Lectures on the most important trends of Hungarian music history (30 classes)
The first module will survey various periods of the history of Hungarian music from Gregorian
culture through the Renaissance and Baroque to more recent styles including contemporary
music. Theoretical information will be illustrated with recorded music as well as live
performances. Special focus will be placed on the personal styles of the most renowned
Hungarian composers.
Lectures on the history of Hungarian music pedagogy (30 classes)
The second module will explore, in detail, various aspects of Hungarian music pedagogy and the
influence of the greatest generations of educators. This effort will culminate in describing how
the “Kodály method” assumed its prestigious place in the ranks of music pedagogies. Students
will get insights into the great achievements of the Hungarian method as well as its many
connections with the international music-education scene.
Program Director:
Professor MIHÁLY DUFFEK, pianist
Dean of the Faculty of Music (University of Debrecen)
Contact: Debreceni Nyári Egyetem
H-4010 Debrecen, Pf. 35.
Telephone: +36 52 532 594, Fax: +36 52 532 595
E-mail: debrecen@nyariegyetem.hu, Web: www.nyariegyetem.hu
Reg. No.: 00334-2009
Institute Accreditation No.: AL-2139
UNIVERSITY OF DEBRECEN
& DEBRECEN SUMMER SCHOOL
Structure of the Course:
– 3 blocks of classes (3 x 90 min) a day
– examination offered at the end of the course (ECTS credits)
Cultural Activities:
– Hungarian folk nights and gastronomy
– film screening
– guided tour of Debrecen
– weekend excursion
Dates & Reminders:
– registration: 3 August (Sunday), 14.00–18.00
– course starts: 4 August (Monday)
– excursion: 9 August (Saturday)
– check-out time: 16 August (Saturday), before 10.00
Accommodation and Meals:
– on-campus accommodation
– upon request, we will send you a list of other accommodation facilities in Debrecen
– full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
– other dining options: lunch and dinner at nearby restaurants
Course Fees*:
registration fee (non-refundable)
tuition (incl. opening ceremony, farewell party)
cultural activities
on-campus accommodation:
3-bedded room
double room
single room
full board
2 weeks
60 EUR
299 EUR
99 EUR
135 EUR
210 EUR
330 EUR
220 EUR
Application Deadline: 30 June 2014
To apply, please send us a completed application form together with two passport photos and
proof of payment of the 60 EUR registration fee.
*Please note that launching thematic courses will require the registration of at least 6 participants.
Contact: Debreceni Nyári Egyetem
H-4010 Debrecen, Pf. 35.
Telephone: +36 52 532 594, Fax: +36 52 532 595
E-mail: debrecen@nyariegyetem.hu, Web: www.nyariegyetem.hu
Reg. No.: 00334-2009
Institute Accreditation No.: AL-2139