Well, it is not really “vs.” rather a nicely balanced program including Bartok: Hungarian Sketches, Sibelius Violin Concerto and Finlandia, and Kodaly: Peacock Variations. I hear it often in the US how Finns and Hungarians are related. I am always asked to tell more about this topic. Indeed there are links between the two (very unique) languages and even some similarities between the cultures. The latter one however I think is the product of history and the turmoil both nations had to go through to become and stay independent. As for the language relation here are some example, first in Finnish, then Hungarian and in English.
menna = megy = go(es)
kasi = kez = hand
kala = hal = fish
There are undeniable similarities here. On the other hand I could only talk to a Finnish person in English. Believe me, I tried.
What about similarities in music? I believe that the program above (my debut concert with the Phoenix Symphony) is a great way to compare three great 20th Century composers, especially these three. Bartok, Kodaly and Sibelius were all influenced by the folk music of their homeland and they all managed to incorporate folk tradition into Western classical music.
When one listens to Sibelius’ powerful Finlandia and the lush melodies of the violin concerto it is easy to understand the “Finnish Soul”. Same thing with Bartok and the way -as we say- “Hungarian are crying as they are partying” (“having fun” in other words). As for “Depression vs. Sadness” goes, it is of course just another catchy title for a blog post. Yet the dark sounds and colors of Sibelius’ music are similar to that of Kodaly’s and Bartok’s. If you know the pieces you know what I am talking about. If you are not familiar with the compositions I am conducting this week, please do check them out!
Here is the website of this week’s violin virtuoso (I had the pleasure to perform Corigliano’s Red Violin Concerto with him a couple of years ago)
Phillipe Quint
http://www.philippequint.com