The Eighth Tribe, 1979 (6. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1979-08-01 / 8. szám

Page 8

THE EIGHTH TRIBE

August, 1979

of piano music. From the 1860s, Bartay played an increasingly important role in Hungarian musical life. He set up an organization to aid musicians living in Hungary (1863), and was its president until his death. As a qualified lawyer, he was responsible for drawing up and presenting to the Hungarian parliament a plan for the organization of the new state music academy (1872). He succeeded Gábor Mátray as director of the National Conservancy in Budapest (1876-1901), and was vice-president (1874-80) and later president (1880-91) of the Hungarian National Choral Society.

In order to uphold the traditions of earlier Hungarian instrumental music Bartay published collections of verbunkos and csárdás dances. More significant, however, than his own compositions are his editions of these types of dances, which are still important sources for research. Bartay also wrote a symphony, an overture and two symphonic poems for orchestras as well as other pieces for piano.

Edward G. Bartay, (named after Ede Bartay) son of Henry Bartay and his wife, Anna Jachis, was born in Austin County, Texas in 1889. Edward studied music and became a wellknown music teacher in Houston and vicinity. He wap a member of the Houston Symphony Orchestra. He also worked with the Drum and Bugle Corps at Wallis High School. His specialty was playing the Clarinet, his favorite tune was the “Clarinet Polko.”

Roland Bartay, brother of Eldridge and Edward Bartay, was also a talented musician. He played Trumpet in the Texas 36th Infrantry Division in

World War I.

* * *

So, as we see, the love for music continues in the Bartay Family.

NATTONAT. ANTHEM

God, bless the Hungarian With abundance, gladness, Graciously protect him when Faced with foes or sadness.

Bring for people tom by fate Happy years and plenty:

Sins of future, sins of late,

Both are paid for amply.

By your help our fathers gained High Carpath’s ascendence;

By you have a home obtained Bendeguz’s descendents.

And where far the Tisza flows, Where the Danube rages Seed of Árpád grew and grows Through the changing ages.

You gave Kúnság’s golden plain Where our wheat is growing;

At Tokaj your sun and rain Made our nectar flowing.

By your grace we fought and owned Turkish alabasters —

Proud Vienna prostrate moaned Matthias’ mighty musters.

But alas, our trespasses Drew your indignation,

From the heaven fierce flashes Thundered on our nation:

Now the Mongol arrows broke On us without warning,

Then we wore the Turkish yoke, Misery and mourning.

Music by Ferenc Erkel

0, how often was the wild Ozmán proudly voicing Victory above our piled Bone-heaps with rejoicing!

Oft against you, land of birth Did your very son rave,

And the fairest mother earth Thus became her son’s grave!

Hides the hunted, but behind Sword follows in foe hand; Looks around but cannot find Home within his homeland! Down the dale and up the peak — Vain is his desire —

Red with blood the rivers reek, Flames the sky with fire.

Once a castle, happy, gay:

Now in ruins, piling.

Lament lingers there to-day And the groans of dying.

But alas, on martyrs’ tomb No freedom is growing;

In slave-yoke and pallid doom Ceaseless tears are flowing.

Pity the Hungarian O Eternal Master,

Graciously protect him when Dangered by disaster.

Bring for people torn by fate Happy years and plenty:

Sins of future, sins of late,

Both are paid for amply.

Lyrics by Ferenc Kölcsey Translated by E.F. Kunz