János Bihari
Encyclopedia
János Bihari was an influential Hungarian
Romani violin
ist. He is one of the founders of Romani academic music and the musical genre verbunkos
.
By the middle of the nineteenth century, "Gypsy music" was elevated to high fashion. The first great was that of János Bihari, the virtuoso violinist from the county of Pressburg (now Bratislava
, Hungarian Pozsony). Franz Liszt
said of him: "The tones sung by his magic violin flow on our enchanted ears like the tears..."
and abroad. In every country Janos learnt local folk and academic music and arranged it to play during his performances. Bihari was so popular that he could live like a noble man: he had expensive clothes and a servant who held Bihari's violin, he stayed in luxurious hotels, etc. He was also invited to play for the Emperor of Austria
.
Bihari's melodies were used by such composers as Franz Liszt, Ludwig van Beethoven
, Pablo de Sarasate
and others.
In 1824 Bihari injured his left hand, thus impairing his ability to perform. Subsequently, his popularity declined, and he died in poverty.
Bihari left 84 musical compositions that are considered to be classic.
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
Romani violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist. He is one of the founders of Romani academic music and the musical genre verbunkos
Verbunkos
Verbunkos is an 18th-century Hungarian dance and music genre. Erroneously, this genre was sometimes attributed to Gypsies, because usually they were the musicians, although the Magyars themselves were sometimes performers,as well....
.
By the middle of the nineteenth century, "Gypsy music" was elevated to high fashion. The first great was that of János Bihari, the virtuoso violinist from the county of Pressburg (now Bratislava
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
, Hungarian Pozsony). Franz Liszt
Franz Liszt
Franz Liszt ; ), was a 19th-century Hungarian composer, pianist, conductor, and teacher.Liszt became renowned in Europe during the nineteenth century for his virtuosic skill as a pianist. He was said by his contemporaries to have been the most technically advanced pianist of his age...
said of him: "The tones sung by his magic violin flow on our enchanted ears like the tears..."
Biography
Bihari was born into a Romani family, his father was a violinist. In 1801, living in Pest, Bihari created an orchestra of 1 cimbalist and 4 violinists. This orchestra became popular soon and visited with Bihari many towns in HungaryHungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
and abroad. In every country Janos learnt local folk and academic music and arranged it to play during his performances. Bihari was so popular that he could live like a noble man: he had expensive clothes and a servant who held Bihari's violin, he stayed in luxurious hotels, etc. He was also invited to play for the Emperor of Austria
Emperor of Austria
The Emperor of Austria was a hereditary imperial title and position proclaimed in 1804 by the Holy Roman Emperor Francis II, a member of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine, and continually held by him and his heirs until the last emperor relinquished power in 1918. The emperors retained the title of...
.
Bihari's melodies were used by such composers as Franz Liszt, Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
, Pablo de Sarasate
Pablo de Sarasate
Pablo Martín Melitón de Sarasate y Navascués was a Navarrese Spanish violinist and composer of the Romantic period.-Career:Pablo Sarasate was born in Pamplona, Navarre, the son of an artillery bandmaster...
and others.
In 1824 Bihari injured his left hand, thus impairing his ability to perform. Subsequently, his popularity declined, and he died in poverty.
Bihari left 84 musical compositions that are considered to be classic.