Zoltan Kodaly

Description: (Hungarian Composer and Creator of the ‘Kodály Method’ of Music Education)

Zoltan Kodaly was a Hungarian composer and musicologist, known as much for his works on Hungarian folk songs as for developing techniques to teach young children to read music through folk material. Along with his compatriot and friend Bela Bartok, he pioneered the integration of folk music and elevated the international status of Hungarian music through dances and folk songs. He popularized folk music among Hungarians, who accepted them with both hands, in spite of criticism as ‘uncultured’ and ‘unrefined’. Unlike his friend Bartok, he kept in constant touch with the people. His authority as a musical pedagogue is as high as his authority as a composer. It were his innovative music education techniques, which inspired his associates to develop Kodaly method, which exploited the natural music talents of children. Even today, this method is extensively employed to teach the basics of music. He also composed an enormous quality of choral exercises, which were intended explicitly for amateur singers to hone their techniques.

Overview

Birthday December 16, 1882 (Sagittarius)
Born In Hungary
Died on March 6, 1967
Spouse/Ex- Emma Gruber (m. 1905–1958), Sarolta Péczely (m. 1959–1967)
Parents Frigyes Kodály
Paulina Jalovetzky
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