Magyar News, 1997. szeptember-1998. augusztus (8. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1997-12-01 / 4. szám

.ON THE TRACK OF k J THE SOUNDTRACK^

Months ago movie-goers flocked to see The English Patient. In a loose way it was about the Hungarian dessert explorer, Grof László Almasy. To underline the ethnic character they had some Hungarian music on the soundtrack. A most wonderful folk song was performed by Marta Sebestyen. Well, in the middle of October she followed her song to America and gave an outstanding show at the Town Hall Theater in New York. It was presented by the World Music Institute also of New York. The Boston Globe referred to it as “breathtaking.”

The ensemble that Marta Sebestyen sang with is the MUZSIKÁS. It was the leading group in the ‘80s with the Táncház (Dance House) movement. Today it is regarded as Hungary’s premier folk group. The members are Daniel Hamar, bass, hammer dulcimer and cello-drum; Peter Eri, viola; László Porteleki and Mihály Sipos, fiddle;Marta Sebestyen, voice. Participating with them were Ildikó Toth and Zoltán Farkas, lead dancers from the Kodály Ensemble.

Marta Sebestyen was in a privileged situation at the age of 12 when she received a prize for folk singing from Zoltán Kodály, the famous Hungarian composer. Muzsikás has several albums available in America. Marta also recorded solo albums, one of them, Kismet was on top of the charts in Europe.

The Town Halt Theater on a program book

Marta Sebestyen playing an old wind instrument

The Adamkovics family was lucky to learn about the performance in time and was able to attend. They enjoyed it very much, found it excellent. They also remarked the noticeable difference in the audience; there were many younger people both Hungarian and American.

The place of the performance has been known to the Hungarians for a long time. In the ‘60s and early ‘70s many Hungarian shows took place there. At that time Frank Vardai Valu, who now resides in Huntington, Ct„ organized and directed plays with numerous groups. Some names that we know: Gabor Carelli, Sharlotte Ordosi, Robert Nagy, Anny Kapitány, Vera Jako, Sándor Szabó, Imre Pongrác, Imre Zsoldos, Laci Berki, Sándor Dobsa, and director Dezső Abraham. Also György Havas, Zoltán Zorandi, Erzsébet Cserei, Maria Dómján, Gyula Apatini, Marika Petri, and our old friend, Tamas Siklós.

What a great time it was!

Many times we hear about Hungarian performances that conquered the world visiting in our own backyard. It seems strange that our community, that used to be the second largest population of Hungarians in America, can’t currently accommodate these artist groups for performances locally.

Think about it.

UPCOMING EVENTS

NOV. 22. SATURDAY 10 AM to 4 PM at the Bessemer Hall OUR BEST HOLIDAY FAIR. Crafts, merchandise, tag sale, flea market, raffles. Our famous home cooked Hungarian food and pastries. Do not miss it.

DEC.13. SATURDAY at the First United Church of Christ, sponsored by the Women’s Guild, there will be a “Yuletide Bake & Book Sale from 10 AM to 3 PM, also white elephant sale. Call 368-3103

DEC. 21 SUNDAY at 3:30 PM the Pannónia American Hungarian Club is sponsoring the ANNUAL HUNGARIAN

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS (KARÁCSONYI ÜNNEPÉLY) at

the Bessemer Center in Bridgeport. To have your child or grandchild participate in the Hungarian program, please call Mrs. Julia Borsos at 259-3166 after 6:00 PM. The pro-gram will be followed by treating all the children to gifts. Also, there will be a reception.

HUNGARIAN RADIO PROGRAM For a short time the Fairfield University Sunday afternoon Hungarian program went off the air. We are glad to let you know that it is being reorganized and it will be broadcast every Sunday afternoon on WVOF 88.5 FM between 2-3 PM. If you have community news or other suitable announcements, please call Reverend Anthony Szilagyi at (203)396-0480.

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