Profile

Gender

Male

Born

1899-10-01 （Budapest）

Died

1986-11-18 （Budapest） age 87

Nationality

Hungarian

Languages

Hungarian

Religion

Catholic

Residence History

Budapest, Hungary

Career

Occupations

composer, conductor, music theorist, professor of music

Active Years

1928-1986

Affiliations

Franz Liszt Academy of Music, Magyar Kórus, Palestrina Choir

Influenced By

Zoltán Kodály, Albert Siklós, Béla Bartók, Josquin des Prez

Influenced

György Kurtág, György Ligeti

Awards & Nominations

Works

Style & Themes

Literary Style

Draws on Renaissance polyphony and Hungarian folk musicFollowing the tradition of Bartók and Kodály

Legacy

Together with Kodály, laid the foundations of 20th-century Hungarian choral music. As professor at Franz Liszt Academy (1928-1967), reformed syllabus emphasizing choral conductors, church music history, music theory and prosody. Founded Magyar Kórus publishing 2,000 works. Disseminator of sacred music, criticized by communists. Founded 'Singing Youth' movement in 1934. Raised Hungarian choral singing to international level. Composed 800 pieces including folk arrangements, masses, motets. Musicological studies on Gregorian, Liszt, Bartók, Kodály. Influenced Kurtág and Ligeti. Teaching contributed to Kodály Method. Annual 'Lajos Bárdos Music Week' since 1977.

Trivia

• His younger brother György Deák-Bárdos was also a composer.
• György Ligeti regularly attended his lectures at the Academy.
• His teaching methods contributed to the Kodály Method.