István Láng
Encyclopedia
István Láng ˈiʃtvaːn ˈlaːŋɡ; born 1 March 1933) is a Hungarian composer
.
, Láng studied composition there from 1950 to 1958 at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music
, first with János Viski and later with Ferenc Szabó
(Boronkay and Willson 2001). After graduating, he worked as a freelance composer until 1966 ([Láng] 2003). From 1966 to 1984 he was Musical Adviser to the State Puppet Theatre, and in 1973 he joined the staff of the chamber music branch of the Liszt Academy. He also held guest lectureships at the University of Colorado
in 1973, CNM in Mexico City
in 1987, and the University of New Mexico
in 1988 (Boronkay and Willson 2001). He served as Secretary General of the Association of Hungarian Musicians from 1978–90, was a member of the Executive Committees of the International Society for Contemporary Music
and the International Music Council (UNESCO
) in 1984–87 and 1989–93, respectively ([Láng] 2003).
He has twice been awarded the Erkel Prize (in 1968 and 1975), was made Artist of Merit in 1985, and has won the Bartók-Pásztori Prize in 1994 (Boronkay and Willson 2001).
and Schoenberg
, but still managing a clever and effective synthesis of these styles with traditional Hungarian elements derived from Bartók
in all areas: melody, harmony, rhythm, and texture—a synthesis perhaps best demonstrated in his Variations and Allegro (1965), which is an arrangement of an earlier symphony (Walsh 1969, 43). His music from this period is marked by an absorption with the theatre, even in chamber and solo instrumental works, such as Monodia for clarinet, which is intended for stage or concert performance (Boronkay and Willson 2001). Other important works from the sixties are the first two Wind Quintets (1963 and 1966), a ballet on Thomas Mann
's Mario and the Magician (1962), and a Chamber Cantata to words by Attila József
(1962) (Walsh 1969, 43). Another feature of Láng’s style is the use of cyclic form
, and his later music tends to consist of sequences of short movements constructed from small motifs, which he calls "micro-organisms". These traits are found, for example, in his Second Wind Quintet of 1966 and Third String Quartet of 1978 (Boronkay and Willson 2001). The movements in such works are often linked by improvisatory solo interludes, as in the Second String Quartet of 1966 (Kárpáti 1969, 9).
Although Láng also worked briefly with electronic music
as early as 1974 (Surface Metamorphoses), he turned seriously to this medium beginning only in the late 1990s, for example Esteledés (Nightfall, 1997), which uses live electronics to manipulate sounds of a trumpet and Korean bell (Boronkay and Willson 2001). More recent works with electronics are the Capriccio metronomico for tape (2001), and the Third Chamber Cantata, "No Man Is an Island", to words of John Donne
(2001), for soprano, five instruments, and tape (Halász 2003, 1155).
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
.
Life
Born in BudapestBudapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
, Láng studied composition there from 1950 to 1958 at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music
Franz Liszt Academy of Music
The Franz Liszt Academy of Music is a concert hall and music conservatory in Budapest, Hungary, founded on November 14, 1875...
, first with János Viski and later with Ferenc Szabó
Ferenc Szabó
Ferenc Szabó was a Hungarian composer. As a communist, Szabó was obliged to emigrate through Berlin to the USSR . He became a respected figure in Soviet musical life, and found the opportunities to explore common ground between the concert hall and mass music-making on a far higher level...
(Boronkay and Willson 2001). After graduating, he worked as a freelance composer until 1966 ([Láng] 2003). From 1966 to 1984 he was Musical Adviser to the State Puppet Theatre, and in 1973 he joined the staff of the chamber music branch of the Liszt Academy. He also held guest lectureships at the University of Colorado
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
in 1973, CNM in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
in 1987, and the University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
in 1988 (Boronkay and Willson 2001). He served as Secretary General of the Association of Hungarian Musicians from 1978–90, was a member of the Executive Committees of the International Society for Contemporary Music
International Society for Contemporary Music
The International Society for Contemporary Music is a music organization that promotes contemporary classical music.ISCM was established in 1922, in Salzburg. Its core activity is the World Music Days Festival, held every year at a different location. The festival includes cutting edge productions...
and the International Music Council (UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
) in 1984–87 and 1989–93, respectively ([Láng] 2003).
He has twice been awarded the Erkel Prize (in 1968 and 1975), was made Artist of Merit in 1985, and has won the Bartók-Pásztori Prize in 1994 (Boronkay and Willson 2001).
Musical style
In his early mature works, Láng adopted the serial techniques that had become fashionable in the early 1960s, showing the influence of BoulezPierre Boulez
Pierre Boulez is a French composer of contemporary classical music, a pianist, and a conductor.-Early years:Boulez was born in Montbrison, Loire, France. As a child he began piano lessons and demonstrated aptitude in both music and mathematics...
and Schoenberg
Arnold Schoenberg
Arnold Schoenberg was an Austrian composer, associated with the expressionist movement in German poetry and art, and leader of the Second Viennese School...
, but still managing a clever and effective synthesis of these styles with traditional Hungarian elements derived from Bartók
Béla Bartók
Béla Viktor János Bartók was a Hungarian composer and pianist. He is considered one of the most important composers of the 20th century and is regarded, along with Liszt, as Hungary's greatest composer...
in all areas: melody, harmony, rhythm, and texture—a synthesis perhaps best demonstrated in his Variations and Allegro (1965), which is an arrangement of an earlier symphony (Walsh 1969, 43). His music from this period is marked by an absorption with the theatre, even in chamber and solo instrumental works, such as Monodia for clarinet, which is intended for stage or concert performance (Boronkay and Willson 2001). Other important works from the sixties are the first two Wind Quintets (1963 and 1966), a ballet on Thomas Mann
Thomas Mann
Thomas Mann was a German novelist, short story writer, social critic, philanthropist, essayist, and 1929 Nobel Prize laureate, known for his series of highly symbolic and ironic epic novels and novellas, noted for their insight into the psychology of the artist and the intellectual...
's Mario and the Magician (1962), and a Chamber Cantata to words by Attila József
Attila József
Attila József was one of the most important and well-known Hungarian poets of the 20th century.-Biography:The son of Áron József, a soap factory worker of Romanian origin from Bánát, and Hungarian peasant girl Borbála Pőcze, he was born in Ferencváros, a poor district of Budapest. He had two elder...
(1962) (Walsh 1969, 43). Another feature of Láng’s style is the use of cyclic form
Cyclic form
Cyclic form is a technique of musical construction, involving multiple sections or movements, in which a theme, melody, or thematic material occurs in more than one movement as a unifying device. Sometimes a theme may occur at the beginning and end Cyclic form is a technique of musical...
, and his later music tends to consist of sequences of short movements constructed from small motifs, which he calls "micro-organisms". These traits are found, for example, in his Second Wind Quintet of 1966 and Third String Quartet of 1978 (Boronkay and Willson 2001). The movements in such works are often linked by improvisatory solo interludes, as in the Second String Quartet of 1966 (Kárpáti 1969, 9).
Although Láng also worked briefly with electronic music
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
as early as 1974 (Surface Metamorphoses), he turned seriously to this medium beginning only in the late 1990s, for example Esteledés (Nightfall, 1997), which uses live electronics to manipulate sounds of a trumpet and Korean bell (Boronkay and Willson 2001). More recent works with electronics are the Capriccio metronomico for tape (2001), and the Third Chamber Cantata, "No Man Is an Island", to words of John Donne
John Donne
John Donne 31 March 1631), English poet, satirist, lawyer, and priest, is now considered the preeminent representative of the metaphysical poets. His works are notable for their strong and sensual style and include sonnets, love poetry, religious poems, Latin translations, epigrams, elegies, songs,...
(2001), for soprano, five instruments, and tape (Halász 2003, 1155).