Szelényi, István - Sonata

István Szelényi (1904 - 1972) studied with Kodály and later taught composition at the Budapest conservatory. His output consists mainly of pieces written for teaching purposes, including works for youth orchestra, for violin ensemble, as well as chamber music and piano pieces. The first movement of the Piano Sonata, composed in 1970, begins with a free introduction leading to a sonata-typical development and exploration of two contrasting themes. The second movement (‘Nocturne’) is an intricate filigree of tender demi-semi-quavers. The Sonata finishes with a virtuosic ‘Toccata’ full of rhythms and harmonies harking back to Hungarian folk tunes.