This Day in the Yesteryear: GERTRUDE OF MERANIA KILLED BY DISCONTENTED HUNGARIAN NOBLES (1213)

Gertrude of Merania Killed by Discontented Hungarian Nobles (1213)

The first wife of Andrew II of Hungary, Gertrude played an active role in the political machinations of his early reign. She used her influence to advance her German relatives at court and gifted Hungarian lands to them, angering the Hungarian nobility and inciting them to action. While her husband was off on a military campaign, Gertrude was murdered by a group of discontented nobles. The unsavory affair served as the inspiration for what Hungarian composer’s famous opera, Bánk bán? More… Discuss

 

Franz Liszt – Hungarian Rhapsody No. 9 in E-flat major “Pesther Carneval”

Franz Liszt (October 22, 1811 — July 31, 1886) was a 19th-century Hungarian composer, pianist, conductor, and teacher.

Liszt became renowned throughout Europe during the nineteenth century for his virtuosic skill as a pianist. He was said by his contemporaries to have been the most technically advanced pianist of his age and perhaps the greatest pianist of all time.

Hungarian Rhapsodies.

The Hungarian Rhapsodies, S.244, R106, (French: Rhapsodies hongroises, German: Ungarische Rhapsodien, Hungarian: Magyar rapszódiák) is a set of 19 piano pieces based on Hungarian folk themes, composed by Franz Liszt during 1846-1853, and later in 1882 and 1885. Liszt additionally arranged versions for orchestra, piano duet and piano trio.

Piano: Artur Pizarro

 

Karl Goldmark (1830 – 1915) Work: Overture, Sappho, Op.44 (1893)

Karl Goldmark (1830 – 1915) Work: Overture, Sappho, Op.44 (1893) Orchestra: Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Adam Medveczky.

Excerpts from Wikipedia:  ‘Karl Goldmark, also known originally as Károly Goldmark (Hungarian: Goldmark Károly) and later sometimes as Carl Goldmark; May 18, 1830, Keszthely – January 2, 1915, Vienna) was a Hungarian composer. Goldmark came from a large Jewish family, one of 20 children.