The Eighth Tribe, 1977 (4. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1977-03-01 / 3. szám
Page 8 THE EIGHTH TRIBE March, 1977 intervened militarily into the struggle between the Frankish and the Moravian empires. In this connection, by 881, a number of their armies had reached Vienna, and by the early 890’s, they were fighting intermittently as allies of either the Frankish or the Moravian state. In light of the above, it is clear to us that in the years preceding their final conquest of the Carpathian Basin, Magyar armies were crisscrossing their future homeland, where they must have felt rather comfortable. Whether or not they would have moved in there permanently, had the unexpected attack of the Turkic Pechenegs (Patzinaks, Bessenyők) not dislodged them from Etelköz, it is difficult to say. By all indications, however, they were already planning to move. The unexpected attack of the Pechenegs in 895, at the time when most Magyar armies were fighting in the Balkans and in the Carpathian Basin, simply made this move inevitable. Their homes having been sacked, and they decimated, the largely defenseless tribes were forced to flee across the Carpathians, where they were soon joined by their returning armies. After unifying and regrouping, they could have tried to reconquer their lands from the Pechenegs. But given the losses that they have sustained (not only in manpower, but also in horses and material goods), and given the presumption that they were planning to move into the Carpathian Basin anyway, such a move would have been both unwise and undesirable. Except for some feeble attempts on the part of the defunct Moravian Empire, and perhaps the Bulgarians whose influence extended into the eastern half of the country, the Magyars encountered no serious opposition. Up to the present, this has generally been explained by the sparsity of population. This may be true. But it is more likely, that they were actually welcomed by a kindred people: the “Late Avars” or the “Magyars of the First Conquest,” who spoke basically an identical language, and who welcomed the new conquerors as liberators. In our pursuit of Magyar origins and the history of the Hungarian State, we certainly have to consider both of these possibilities. 18 — to be continued green branches) — Jenő Ádám; “Hej, búra termett idő” (“Ah, grief-yielding time”) — Aurél Káldy-Kern; as well as “Ellopták szivemet” (They stole my heart”) — Aurél Horváth-Kern. The second half centered around Christmas thematic renditions, with the ensemble singing: “Dicséret zengjen” (“Resounding Praise”) —• Johannes Walter; “Szép rózsabimbó nyílt ki” (“Lo, how a rose ’ere blooming”) Michael Praetorius; “Krisztus Urunknak áldott születésén” (“Our Lord Christ’s holy birth”) —1 Folk Hymn; and “Dicsőség mennyben as Istennek” (“Heavenly Praises to God”) — Zsasskovszky Hymn Collection. The master work of the Chorus’ concerted endeavors was excerpted from Bach’s “Karácsonyi Oratórium” (“Christmas Oratorio”), with organ accompaniment by Dr. Markey, the latter individual also giving the Postludium, “In Dulci Jubilo” of J. S. Bach. Other Bach selections were done by soprano Judith Metzger, entitled “Szép tündöklő hajnalcsillag” (“Beautiful, gleaming morning star”) and “Itt állok jászolod felett” (“Here I stand above your manger”). “Parasztdalok” (“Peasant songs”) — Béla Bartók’s composition was performed by Péter Szerdahelyi, flutist, and Erzsébet Peleskey, pianist; the latter individual also played other works including those by Zoltán Kodály and Jenő Ádám. Interspersed in the program were poetry selections given by Marianne Krencsey. “Hajnali részegség” (“Intoxication at Daybreak” after a sleepless night) — Dezső Kosztolányi; “Psalm 153” —1 Miklós Veress, together with various other poetical works written by György Faludy, Attila József, and Lajos Simon. In closing, thoughtful reflections were given by Dezső Fodor, President of the Kodály Chorus, specifically about the group’s work and activities over the past years as well as positive hopes toward future endeavors. Their accomplishments on the whole are aided by Margit Dénes (nee Lukács), Secretary (who is a music teacher, with master’s degree and pursued advanced music studies in Budapest during the past summer), as well as Erzsébet Teszár, Treasurer (who in her own right, has been involved with varied Hungarian cultural events over the years). To a major extent, this choral group’s conscientious efforts and fervant earnestness were obviously evident throughout their expressive presentation of great diversity in their musical repertoire. This program of extraordinary magnitude apparently portrayed to discerning listeners a montage (as in a multiple concert) of gifts and talents from within this amalgamated unit in conveying harmonious communication. The pleasurable experience that these American Hungarians (and vice versa), create vocally is immeasurably gratifying to their listening audiences wherever they perform and seems to echo beyond the walls of concert halls, community lines, and country bounds. They are to be lauded and applauded in their very worthwhile accomplishments, with genuine encouragement for unending aesthetic intonations in the future! —M. Takacs Barboe If you would like to get in touch with M. Takács Barboe, write to: P. 0. Box 2244, Edison, N. J. 08817. Please do not throw this magazine away after reading it — give it to a friend.
