Rákóczi March
Encyclopedia
The "Rákóczi March" is the unofficial state anthem of Hungary
.
The first version of this march-song was probably created around 1730 by one or more anonymous composers, although tradition says that it was the favourite march of Francis Rákóczi II. That early version, the Rákóczi-nóta (Rákóczi Song), was a lament complaining about the misfortune of the Magyars and the Habsburg oppression. The song called back Francis Rákóczi II to save his people. It was very popular in the 18th century but in the 19th century the more refined Rákóczi March became prevalent.
The Rákóczi-nóta was one of the most interesting pieces of Kuruc
poetry. It soon became a folksong with more than 20 versions and was sung even after the 1848 revolution. It gave inspiration to the poets Sándor Petőfi
, Ferenc Kölcsey
and Kálmán Thaly
.
The "Rákóczi March" was played by János Bihari
between 1809-20. Hector Berlioz
included the music in his composition "La Damnation de Faust" in 1846, and Franz Liszt
wrote a number of arrangements, including his Hungarian Rhapsody No. 15, based on the theme. Pianist Vladimir Horowitz
composed a variation on the "Rákóczi March" with elements of both the Liszt and Berlioz versions. This piece greatly expands on the bravura and flash of the Liszt composition.
The lyrics of the march were written at the end of the 19th century and they have a poor poetical quality. Today the song is always played without the lyrics. The Berlioz version has become a popular folk-music selection in Hungary, especially for weddings. Today the Rákóczi March is mostly played at state and military celebrations.
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...
.
The first version of this march-song was probably created around 1730 by one or more anonymous composers, although tradition says that it was the favourite march of Francis Rákóczi II. That early version, the Rákóczi-nóta (Rákóczi Song), was a lament complaining about the misfortune of the Magyars and the Habsburg oppression. The song called back Francis Rákóczi II to save his people. It was very popular in the 18th century but in the 19th century the more refined Rákóczi March became prevalent.
The Rákóczi-nóta was one of the most interesting pieces of Kuruc
Kuruc
The kuruc was a term used to denote the armed anti-Habsburg rebels in Royal Hungary between 1671 and 1711....
poetry. It soon became a folksong with more than 20 versions and was sung even after the 1848 revolution. It gave inspiration to the poets Sándor Petőfi
Sándor Petofi
Sándor Petőfi , was a Hungarian poet and liberal revolutionary. He is considered as Hungary's national poet and he was one of the key figures of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848...
, Ferenc Kölcsey
Ferenc Kölcsey
Ferenc Kölcsey was a Hungarian poet, literary critic, orator, and politician, noted for his support of the liberal current inside the Habsburg Empire. He wrote the national anthem of Hungary in 1823....
and Kálmán Thaly
Kálmán Thaly
Kálmán Thaly was a Hungarian poet, historian and politician. His most important works are his Kuruc poetry, the most famous literary forgery in the history of Hungarian literature....
.
The "Rákóczi March" was played by János Bihari
János Bihari
János Bihari was an influential Hungarian Romani violinist. He is one of the founders of Romani academic music and the musical genre verbunkos....
between 1809-20. Hector Berlioz
Hector Berlioz
Hector Berlioz was a French Romantic composer, best known for his compositions Symphonie fantastique and Grande messe des morts . Berlioz made significant contributions to the modern orchestra with his Treatise on Instrumentation. He specified huge orchestral forces for some of his works; as a...
included the music in his composition "La Damnation de Faust" in 1846, and 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...
wrote a number of arrangements, including his Hungarian Rhapsody No. 15, based on the theme. Pianist Vladimir Horowitz
Vladimir Horowitz
Vladimir Samoylovich Horowitz was a Russian-American classical virtuoso pianist and minor composer. His technique and use of tone color and the excitement of his playing were legendary. He is widely considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century.-Life and early...
composed a variation on the "Rákóczi March" with elements of both the Liszt and Berlioz versions. This piece greatly expands on the bravura and flash of the Liszt composition.
The lyrics of the march were written at the end of the 19th century and they have a poor poetical quality. Today the song is always played without the lyrics. The Berlioz version has become a popular folk-music selection in Hungary, especially for weddings. Today the Rákóczi March is mostly played at state and military celebrations.
See also
- The national anthem of Hungary, HimnuszHimnusz"Himnusz" is a song beginning with the words Isten, áldd meg a magyart that's a musical poetic prayer that serves as the official national anthem of Hungary. True to its title, Himnusz presents a more solemn and dignified tone than many other lively national anthems...
. - Traditional unofficial national anthem of Hungary, SzózatSzózatThe Szózat is considered as a second national anthem of Hungary, beside the Himnusz. Usually only its first two stanzas are sung at national celebrations...