Ferenc Farkas - Farkas: Magic Cupboard / Songs (LP)

Ferenc Farkas, a renowned Hungarian composer, presents a captivating blend of operatic and vocal works in "Farkas: Magic Cupboard / Songs." Released on July 15, 2014, under the Hungaroton label, this album offers a rich, two-hour-and-fourteen-minute journey through Farkas's diverse musical repertoire.

The album opens with "A bûvös szekrény" (The Magic Cupboard), a two-act opera that showcases Farkas's storytelling prowess and melodic inventiveness. The opera's intricate plot and enchanting characters are brought to life through a series of engaging arias, duets, and choruses, highlighting the composer's ability to create vivid musical scenes. The opera is performed by a talented cast, with Margit Laszlo lending her voice to the role of Sulejka, the opera's central character.

Following the opera, the album delves into a collection of songs that demonstrate Farkas's versatility as a composer. "3 Dal (3 Songs)" features three songs composed in 1958, each offering a unique glimpse into Farkas's early work. The album also includes "3 Guillevic dal (3 Guillevic Songs)," a set of songs based on the poetry of French poet Eugène Guillevic, showcasing Farkas's ability to translate the essence of poetry into music.

"Malaj abrandok (Malaysian Daydreams)" provides a brief interlude, offering a taste of Farkas's fascination with non-European musical traditions. The album then continues with "A hallgatas orai (Hommage a Alpbach)," a four-movement work inspired by the composer's experiences at the Alpbach Festival in Austria.

The album concludes with two sets of songs based on Hungarian poetry. "Elfelejtett dallamok (Forgotten Melodies)" features four songs that draw on traditional Hungarian themes, while "5 Dal erdelyi koltok verseire (5 Songs on Poems by Transylvanian Poets)" showcases Farkas's connection to the musical traditions of Transylvania. The album also includes "Naptar (Calendar)," a nine-movement work that explores the changing moods and landscapes of the Hungarian year.

Throughout the album, Farkas's compositions are brought to life by a talented ensemble of singers and musicians, including the Galliard Ensemble, who contribute a rendition of Farkas's "5 Ancient Hungarian Dances for wind quintet." The album is a testament to Farkas's enduring legacy as a composer and his ability to create music that is both deeply rooted in tradition and innovatively modern.