Melinda Kistétényi

Melinda Kistétényi (25 July 1926 – 20 October 1999) was a Hungarian classical organist, composer and chorus master known for her improvisations. She worked as a professor of music at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest for 53 years.

Early life and education Melinda Kistétényi was born in Budapest on 25 July 1926. From 1946 to 1953, she attended the Budapest Academy of Music, where she was taught composition by János Viski, organ by Sebestyén Pécsi, conducting by János Ferencsik, András Kórodi and László Somogyi and church music by Jenő Ádám and Lajos Bárdos. She received a chorus master diploma in 1949.

Kistétényi was a professor of music theory at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music for 53 years from 1956 to 1989. In her teaching, she was one of the most prominent Hungarian followers of the Kodály method, and wrote poetic texts to Kodály's Epigrammák and Tricinia series. Her students include Andras Schiff, Zoltán Kocsis, Ivan Fischer, Dezső Ránki, Sylvia Sass, Xaver Varnus and Veronika Kincses. When Igor Stravinsky heard a recording of Kistétényi in the 1960s, he compared her to both Kodály and Béla Bartók.

In addition to teaching, she also performed regular organ concerts in Hungary and other countries. She usually dedicated the second half of her concerts to her improvisation. Kistétényi also translated many musical pieces into Hungarian, including Shakespeare's sonnets. She also set poems by Sándor Petőfi, Endre Ady, Gyula Juhász, Árpád Tóth, János Arany, Attila József, Sándor Weöres to music.

Death

Kistétényi died on 20 October 1999 in Budapest, at the age of 73.

Works Selected works include: Gyászének (with Zoltán Kodály) Sonata for Solo Trombone Plaisirs, doux vainqueurs A csábító Már nem hívlak, kérlek Csöndesedj, vígaszt nyerj Hiába várod I call you all to Woden's hall Piu non cerca libertá

Kistétényi's works have been recorded and issued on CD, including: Contemporary Works with Trombone Label: Hungaraoton

Film appearances: Zenés TV színház (TV series) – Egy szerelem három éjszakája (1986) (musician: organ)