László Lajtha

Hungarian composer László Lajtha was widely recognized for his talents, both among his Hungarian contemporaries and among mid-20th century composers in France, where, in 1955, he became the first Hungarian inducted into the Academie Française. Due to the repressive efforts of the Hungarian state cultural apparatus, and of the Germanic academic one, his works were largely forgotten. He was influenced by both Bartókian ethnomusicology and the Western European tradition, especially French. The 21st century has seen a revival in his reputation. His works include nine symphonies, ten string quartets, theatrical and film music, piano music, and a variety of smaller works. ~ James Manheim