Lajos Bárdos

Lajos Bárdos was a renowned Hungarian composer, conductor, music theorist, and professor of music, born on October 1, 1899, in Budapest. He studied at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music under notable figures like Albert Siklós and Zoltán Kodály. Bárdos played a pivotal role in shaping 20th-century Hungarian choral music, alongside Kodály. He was a prolific composer, creating over 800 works that spanned sacred music, folk song arrangements, masses, and more. His career included teaching at the Liszt Academy from 1928 to 1967, where he emphasized choral conducting and music theory. Bárdos also founded the Magyar Kórus publishing house to promote Hungarian choral music.

Bárdos's contributions extended beyond composition and teaching. He directed several choirs, including the Cecilia Chorus and the Palestrina Choir, and combined them to form the Budapest Choir in 1941. His work as a musicologist included significant analyses of composers like Bartók, Kodály, and Liszt. Bárdos was also involved in the development of the Kodály Method of music education. He passed away on November 18, 1986, leaving behind a legacy in Hungarian music and a large family with eleven children.

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