Ruralia Hungarica
Encyclopedia
Ruralia Hungarica is a name given by the Hungarian composer Ernő Dohnányi
to four interrelated works.
First came the version for solo piano, a suite containing 7 movements, Op. 32a, in 1923:
Five of these movements were then orchestrated, as Op. 32b, in 1924. This was Dohnányi's contribution to the fiftieth anniversary of the creation of the city of Budapest
from a merger of Buda
and Pest.
A version for violin and piano followed, as Op. 32c. This contained transcriptions of two of the existing pieces (Presto, ma non tanto; and Molto vivace), plus an entirely new piece as the second movement. That new piece, Andante alla zingaresca, or Andante rubato, is better known as the "Gypsy Andante", and under the bow of players like Jascha Heifetz
and Fritz Kreisler
it became a concert favourite separate from the suite of which it forms a part.
Dohnányi also arranged the "Gypsy Andante" from Op. 32c for cello and piano, as Op. 32d.
There is also an arrangement of Op. 32d for cello and harp, and cello and orchestra.
The term "Gypsy Andante" is sometimes also applied to the Adagio non troppo movement of the orchestral suite.
Erno Dohnányi
Ernő Dohnányi was a Hungarian conductor, composer, and pianist. He used the German form of his name Ernst von Dohnányi for most of his published compositions....
to four interrelated works.
First came the version for solo piano, a suite containing 7 movements, Op. 32a, in 1923:
- I. Allegretto, molto tenero
- II. Presto, ma non tanto
- III. Andante poco moto, rubato
- IV. Vivace
- V. Allegro grazioso
- VI. Adagio non troppo
- VII. Molto vivace.
Five of these movements were then orchestrated, as Op. 32b, in 1924. This was Dohnányi's contribution to the fiftieth anniversary of the creation of the city of Budapest
Budapest
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...
from a merger of Buda
Buda
For detailed information see: History of Buda CastleBuda is the western part of the Hungarian capital Budapest on the west bank of the Danube. The name Buda takes its name from the name of Bleda the Hun ruler, whose name is also Buda in Hungarian.Buda comprises about one-third of Budapest's...
and Pest.
A version for violin and piano followed, as Op. 32c. This contained transcriptions of two of the existing pieces (Presto, ma non tanto; and Molto vivace), plus an entirely new piece as the second movement. That new piece, Andante alla zingaresca, or Andante rubato, is better known as the "Gypsy Andante", and under the bow of players like Jascha Heifetz
Jascha Heifetz
Jascha Heifetz was a violinist, born in Vilnius, then Russian Empire, now Lithuania. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest violinists of all time.- Early life :...
and Fritz Kreisler
Fritz Kreisler
Friedrich "Fritz" Kreisler was an Austrian-born violinist and composer. One of the most famous violin masters of his or any other day, he was known for his sweet tone and expressive phrasing. Like many great violinists of his generation, he produced a characteristic sound which was immediately...
it became a concert favourite separate from the suite of which it forms a part.
Dohnányi also arranged the "Gypsy Andante" from Op. 32c for cello and piano, as Op. 32d.
There is also an arrangement of Op. 32d for cello and harp, and cello and orchestra.
The term "Gypsy Andante" is sometimes also applied to the Adagio non troppo movement of the orchestral suite.