The Kaláka Ensemble

The Transylvanian poet Sándor Kányádi wrote: "The Kaláka Ensemble is elegant. They offer poetry to their audiences on a musical platter which would never be confused with anyone else’s music. Their compositions aren’t forced, rather the original melody of a verse is played, born of the quietness of the heart exiled in books from the time of Gutenbergon."

In Hungary Sándor Kányádi received the highest national recognition for contribution of the arts, the Kossuth Prize.

Kaláka refers to a Transylvanian folk custom of working together. Orignally it was a house building party.

The Kaláka Ensemble was formed in Budapest in 1969. They sing poetry and play their own arrangements of folk music. Their music is varied and the poetry from many different styles as well. The unique sound of the four singing voices, the classical and folk instruments together make the music.

The members and their instruments
Gábor Becze: double bass, guitar
Dániel Gryllus: flutes, zither, panpipe, clarinet, tarogato
Vilmos Gryllus: cello, guitar, charango, moldavian lute, jews harp
Balázs Radványi: mandolin, 12 string guitar, ukulele, cuatro, viola, kalimba

Poetry and music: The tunes are old and new, and the poetry is from. Hungarian poets as well as poets of other nationalities. On Kaláka’s 25 recordings there are approximately 1000 songs.
A few of the poets whose works we sing: János Arany, Endre Ady, Sándor Weöres, Dezsõ Kosztolányi, Sándor Kányádi, Lõrinc Szabó, József Attila, R.Burns, F. Villon, Sz.Jeszenyin.

Film music: Music for the series entitled „Hungarian Folk Tales” (which was shown all over the world); „Hungarian Sayings”; „Stories of King Matyás”; etc.

Concerts for children: At Kaláka concerts, children are not only the audience, they also participate in the concert. Given that the musicians all teach music by the Kodaly method, and all attended the famous Lórántffy Elementary School of Music in Budapest, they are all confirmations of a musical education and conscious practictioners of the methods. During their concerts they present an array of instruments, and have had great success with children who speak other languages as well.

International tours, folk festivals, literary festivals: Austria, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Croatia, Japan, Yugoslavia, Poland, Germany, Mongolia, Norway, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Switzerland, Sweden, (former) Soviet Union, Slovakia, Slovenia, Taywan, Ukraine, Uruguay, Yugoslavia.

Kaláka received "Kossuth Prize" to the celebration of his 30 Years Anniversary in 2000 and in 2004 received the Prima Primissima award.

Photo: István lajtos