Zoltán Gárdonyi

Zoltán Gárdonyi
Franz Liszt Academy of Music, where he taught for 26 years
Born	(1906-04-25)25 April 1906 Budapest
Died	27 June 1986(1986-06-27) (aged 80) Herford
Education	Franz Liszt Academy of Music
Occupation	Composer Academic teacher
Organization	Franz Liszt Academy of Music

Zoltán Gárdonyi (25 April 1906 – 27 June 1986) was a Hungarian composer and musicologist. He taught at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music for 26 years.

Gárdonyi was born in Budapest. His mother, the pianist Maria Weigl, studied at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music with Liszt's pupil, István Thomán, at the same time as Béla Bartók. At the age of 17, Gárdonyi began his studies in composition with Zoltán Kodály at the Academy. After studying with Paul Hindemith and Arnold Schering in Berlin, he worked as a professor at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music from 1941 until 1967. He also led the faculty for Protestant sacred music until it was closed by the communists in 1949.

His oeuvre includes sacred music, orchestral works and chamber music. Three of his motets for choir a cappella were published in German by Schott, "Finnisches Busslied", "Der Herr ist mein Hirte" (Psalm 23) and "Singet dem Herren" (Psalm 96). Gárdonyi's musicological research yielded findings related to Bach and Liszt. His works were published in Germany, Sweden and the United States. Gárdonyi lived in Germany with his family beginning in 1972. He died in Herford a few weeks after his 80th birthday.

His son is the composer and concert organist Zsolt Gárdonyi.

Some of Gárdonyi's works were recorded, including three organ sonatas and the Partita sopra Veni Creator Spiritus, played by Dezső Karasszon, and Szvit-regi stilusban (Suite No. 1 in old style). The Partita is a symphonic work, introduction (Largo), theme (Lento), four variations and finale (Allegro maestoso), based on Martin Luther's hymn for Pentecost "Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist".