Four Songs for Children

/in , , /by

About the Work

Four Songs for Children is a playful and lyrical cycle of short pieces for children’s choir and piano, composed in 2020 at the request of Esther Vető Hargittai in the United Kingdom. Each miniature sets a charming English-language nursery rhyme to music, offering young singers a delightful and expressive musical experience. The songs explore a range of moods—from gentle and dreamy to bright and energetic—while remaining accessible to beginner choirs.

The set consists of four movements:

  • I. Slowly slowly – 1 minute

  • II. Soft kitten – 1 minute 30 seconds

  • III. Pussycat, pussycat – 1 minute

  • IV. Lovely evening – 1 minute 30 seconds

The cycle was premiered on 2 October 2021 as part of the Zsófia Tallér Memorial Concert in Budapest, performed by the Children’s Choir of the Hungarian State Opera, conducted by Nikolett Hajzer.

The sheet music is available for purchase in the webshop.

Songs of innocence

/in , , /by

Songs of Innocence is a two-movement cycle for children’s choir and piano, based on poems by William Blake. The work was commissioned by the British Kodály Academy in 2017 and completed in 2019.

Blake’s poems—Spring, Laughing Song and Cradle Song—are imbued with a sense of wonder, warmth and clarity. Rather than elaborating on the texts, the music seeks to reflect their inner light with simplicity and sensitivity. The textures are transparent, the gestures are playful or tender, and the vocal lines aim to support the natural musicality of children’s voices.

This work offers young singers a lyrical, expressive experience rooted in the English poetic tradition, while embracing the Kodály philosophy of musical education through artistry and joy.

  • Movements:

    • I. Spring, Laughing Song – 3 minutes 15 seconds

    • II. Cradle Song – 3 minutes 45 seconds

The sheet music is available for purchase in the webshop.

Three Songs for Children

/in , , /by

Easy Children’s choir pieces for choir and piano, commissioned by conductor Esther Vető Hargittai (GB).

PARTS

  • I. Can you count the stars?
  • II. Cock a doodle doo!
  • III. Hush, little baby

Bonus arrangement:

  • IV. Humpty Dumpty

These three short songs for children’s choir and piano are inspired by traditional nursery rhymes. Their playful melodies and simple harmonies make them suitable for young choirs and educational settings.

The sheet music is available for purchase in the webshop.

Leander and Linseed

/0 Hozzászólások/in , , /by

Original title: Leándersz és Lenszirom

„for my sons Marci and Zsiga”

 

Opera for children in two acts

Libretto by Barnabás Szöllősi based on the play of Andor Szilágyi

Performed by the Hungarian State Opera for 3 seasons with estimated 15 000 viewers.

original performance directed by: Sándor Zsótér

Released on DVD in 2016 under the name of Útravaló 2016 (Leánder és Lenszirom)

Duration: Act 1 approx. 40 minutes and Act 2 approx. 50 min.

Roles:

LEÁNDER (Leander) , goblin – bass-baritone
LENSZIROM (Linseed), princess – lyric soprano
BOGYÓ, servant of Leánder – baritone
CSIBECSŐR, servant of Linseed – soprano
BÖLÖMBÉR KERÁL, king – bass (bass-baritone)
BÖLÖMBÉR KERÁLNÉ, queen – mezzo-soprano
MAR-SZÚR HERCEG, prince, lord of the wasps – tenor (spinto)
TÖNDÉR NEGÉD, queen of decency and charm – soprano
VAKNADÁLY, lord of the lake – contra-tenor
CSÍJJEGŐS BŐREGÉR, blood bat 1 – alto
CSUJJOGÓS BŐREGÉR, blood bat 2 – tenor
HORLOLÁBOK (1 and 2), 2 guards – male choir members
MÉZELŐK,VÉRBÖGÖLÖK army of wasps – children’s choir

 

Arrangement (Symphonic orchestra):

1. Flauto
2. Flauto / Flauto Piccolo
1. Oboa
2. Oboa / Corno Inglese
1. Clarinetto in Sib
2. Clarinetto in Sib / Clarinetto basso in Sib
Fagotto
Contrafagotto
4 Corni in Fa
2 Trombe in Do
3 Tromboni
Tuba
Timpani
4 Percussionisti (Triangle, Bass Drum, Snare Drum,Tam-tam, Tenor Drum, Cymbals, Suspended Cymbals,
Roto-toms, Castagnets, Shaker,Tamburine,Wind Chimes,Wood Blocks, Crotales,Tubular Bells, Glockenspiel,
Xilophone, Marimba)
Arpa
Celesta
Cembalo
Archi:
Violini I
Violini II
Viole
Violoncelli
Contrabassi a cinque corde

New Year Greetings

/in , , /by

Original title: Évköszöntő

For orchestra and children’s choir, commissioned by the Hungarian State Opera.

duration: approx. 11 min.

ORCHESTRA

Flute
Flute/Piccolo
2Oboe
Clarinet in Sib
Clarinet in Sib/1Bass Clarinet in Sib
2Bassoons
Contrabassoon
4Horns in Fa
2Trumpets in C
3Trombones
Timpani (G, A, B, Bb)
Drums (Bass Drum, Timbale 14″, Glockenspiel, Cymbal, Suspended Cymbal, Triangle,
Tambourine, Tom-toms, Wood block)
Children’s Choir
Strings

Lyrics:

Adjon Isten minden jót
Ez új esztendőben:
Jobb üdőt, mint tavaly volt,
Ez új esztendőben;
Jó tavaszt, őszt, telet, nyárt,
Jó termést és jó vásárt
Ez új esztendőben;

Adjon Isten minden jót
Ez új esztendőben:
Zsíros esőt, kövér hót,
Ez új esztendőben;
Bő aratást, szüretet,
Egészséget, jó kedvet
Ez új esztendőben!

Adjon Isten minden jót
Ez új esztendőben:
Drága jó bort, olcsó sót
Ez új esztendőben;
Jó kenyeret, szalonnát
Tizenkét hónapon át
Ez új esztendőben!

Adjon Isten minden jót
Ez új esztendőben:
Vegye el mind a nem jót,
Ez új esztendőben;
Mitől félünk, mentsen meg,
Amit várunk, legyen meg,
Ez új esztendőben!

Rough translation:

May God grant us all the best
In this new year:
Better wheather than last year
In this new year;
Good spring, automn, winter, summer,
Good harvest and good market
In this new year;

May God grant us all the best
In this new year:
Gross rain, fat snow
In this new year;
Rich harvest, vintage,
Health, good mood
In this new year!

May God grant us all the best
In this new year:
Expencive good wine, cheep salt
In this new year;
Good bread, bacon
For twelve mounthes
In this new year!

May God grant us all the best
In this new year:
Tahe away all the bads
In this new year;
From all that we fear, may God save us,
Let it be what we’re waitng for,
In this new year!

 

Bárányhívogató

/in /by

For children’s choir

Based on the poem of Sándor Rákos

 

First perfromace at Fészek Művészklub, concert series “New Hungarian Pieces”