This UNIQUE album encompasses selections from six centuries of Hungarian keyboard music, originating from the territory of old Hungary, and occasionally from abroad. The programme opens with the first known suite composition by a Hungarian composer. Mihály Bulyovszky (ca 1640‒1712).
The program continues with Hungarian Dances from Hungarian and international collections as old as the 16th and 17th century, followed by a Toccata & Fuga by Dániel Brassai Croner (1656-1740). From the 18th century we hear a Sonata by Mária Koháry (1769-1824) and József Bengráf (1745‒1791).
Skipping the 19th century we freshly arrive in the 20th century, which is represented by a Divertissement by Pál Hermann (1902-1943). The 21rst century presents Lajos Huszár b.1984 in his Sonata for Harpsichord Op.11, the program ending with Cemballata by Maté Hollós (b. 1954) and a Suite by Szilvia Elek.
The guide through this fascinating journey is Hungarian harpsichordist Szilvia Elek. She was born in Budapest and graduated from the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music. In Hungary she studied with József Soproni (composition), Rita Wagner, Ferenc Rados, György Kurtág (piano, chamber music) and János Sebestyén (harpsichord), then with Malcolm Bilson (fortepiano) in the United States and Jos van Immerseel (harpsichord) in Belgium. She defended her doctoral dissertation – summa cum laude – in 2019 at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music.
