Interpretative Elements of György Kósa’s Chinese Song Series From an Art Psychology Perspective

Authors

  • Krisztina SINKA University of Nyíregyháza (Hungary), Institute of Music. E-mail: sinka.krisztina@nye.hu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24193/subbmusica.2023.2.20

Keywords:

Chinese songs, György Kósa, Po Chü-i’s poetry, Sándor Weöres, performing arts, creative arts, singing voice, Stella Ferch

Abstract

I got to know the art of György Kósa (1897-1984) during my performing career. During the performances of the first Chinese Songs series, the songs inspired me to learn more about the composer. Delving into the literature shed light on the composer’s artistic concept, elements of which I can identify with also as a performer. It can be said that, even if we focus only on his songwriting, his most important role as a songwriter is to communicate values. His choice of lyrics is based on a profound knowledge of twentieth-century Hungarian and world literature, and his literary themes represent both the cultural and mental-spiritual well-being of the time, and satisfy the musician’s need for expression, both on a personal and a communal level. György Kósa’s oeuvre as a songwriter is a densely woven structure, consistently and organically formed. The songs are each a microcosm of their own, linked to a particular state of being, time and emotional mood of the individual, and in portraying this, the literary and musical tools employed can all be accurately mapped.

Author Biography

Krisztina SINKA, University of Nyíregyháza (Hungary), Institute of Music. E-mail: sinka.krisztina@nye.hu

Krisztina SINKA sang in many important Hungarian opera companies in the country. She graduated from the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, where she studied with the renowned opera singer Éva Andor. Her teachers included director András Békés, opera singer Erzsébet Komlóssy and conductor Ádám Medveczky. She graduated with honors as a professional opera singer and received the prestigious Margit Szilvássy Award in 1995. In 1998, she studied at the Santa Cecilia Academy of Music in Rome on a scholarship. Krisztina Sinka made her debut at the Hungarian State Opera as Mimi in Puccini's opera La bohème. She also played Norina in Donizetti's opera Don Pasquale, Irina in Péter Eötvös’ The Three Sisters, directed by István Szabó, and Violetta in Verdi's La Traviata alongside the internationally renowned bass József Gregor. She also performed as an excellent soloist in oratorios and church concerts, and toured with opera performances in Hungary, Romania, Croatia, Switzerland and in London in the UK. Awards: Margit Szilvássy Award, Hungarian Academy of Rome Scholarship, London Scholarship, Artisjus Award, Annie Fischer Award, Opera Friends Scholarship.

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Published

2023-12-30

How to Cite

SINKA, K. (2023). Interpretative Elements of György Kósa’s Chinese Song Series From an Art Psychology Perspective. Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai Musica, 68(2), 279–286. https://doi.org/10.24193/subbmusica.2023.2.20

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