Hungarian composer György Kurtág, one of the most revered figures in contemporary classical music, celebrates his 100th birthday this week with the unveiling of a new opera. Born on February 19, 1926, in Lugoj, Romania, to ethnic Hungarian parents, Kurtág has spent decades shaping modern music with his distinctive style—short, complex works often described as “miniature forms.” His centennial is being marked with concerts, documentaries, and tributes across Budapest.
A New Opera for a Milestone
Later this month, Kurtág’s second opera Die Stechardin will premiere, telling the story of an 18th-century romance between a German polymath and a flower girl. The work is seen as a deeply personal message to his late wife and artistic partner, pianist Marta Kurtág, who passed away in 2019. Despite health challenges, including hearing loss and confinement to a wheelchair, Kurtág continues to compose with intensity. “He doesn’t hear so well anymore. But in return, he feels even more,” said conductor András Keller of Concerto Budapest, who is preparing the new one-act opera.
A Lifetime of Music
Kurtág studied piano and composition in Timisoara before moving to Budapest in 1946 to attend the Franz Liszt Academy of Music. There, he met fellow composer György Ligeti, beginning a lifelong friendship.
Graduating in piano and chamber music in 1951, Kurtág later studied in Paris, where he absorbed influences from literature and avant-garde music. Over the years, he became known for works of striking brevity and emotional depth, often inspired by writers such as Samuel Beckett.
At age 92, his first opera Fin de partie premiered at Milan’s La Scala in 2018, based on Beckett’s Endgame. It took more than seven years to complete.
Legacy and Recognition
Kurtág’s music has been described as glowing with intensity, even in its quietest moments. Music historian Gergely Fazekas calls him “the master of miniature forms,” noting how his compositions capture fleeting fragments of eternity. In early February, the Liszt Academy awarded Kurtág an honorary doctorate, celebrating his enduring influence. For admirers worldwide, his centenary is not just a milestone but a testament to resilience, creativity, and devotion to art.
