Zoltan Kodaly (1882-1967)
Hungarian composer, who devoted his life's work to the development of genuine Hungarian music although his early compositions reflected the influence of German romantic composers, particularly Brahms. He met Bela Bartok, the other major 20th century Hungarian composer, at the Budapest Academy and together they collected Magyar folk music, elements of which they would eventually use in their compositions. While in Paris, he fell under the influence of Debussy's music. Thus his mature works while Hungarian in character were also often tinged with the colors of French Impressionist music. He was also a champion of children's music who believed that for a child, singing was as important as talking. His most successful works include: Meditation on a Theme by Claude Debussy, the choral work Psalmus Hungaricus which was translated into 8 languages , the Galatea Dances, the folk opera Hary Janos, a Te Deum, a Missa Brevis and a great Sonata for Solo Cello.

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