Pécs Cantat 2010 has commissioned a short, secular cantata from the well-known Hungarian composer, János Vajda.

János Vajda – known widely for his highly dramatic vein and great sense of humour – took the challenge to introduce the European Capital of Culture to the singing world, through amalgamating the Hungaro-Latin poetry of old, the sterling wines, and the prominent tradition of male voice singing – all rooted in the region, in Pécs and its vicinity.

The first title-version was The Bowl of Janus – referring to Janus Pannonius, our great poet of the Renaissance, bishop of Pécs. The final title – Pannonii Carmen – keeps Janus’ alias, implying also Pannonia, our country’s name in the Roman Empire. “In this short cantata, I assume we get an apt and perfect fore-piece for Orff’s gorgeous Camina Burana” – says Dr Lakner, artistic director of Pécs Cantat 2010.

Pannoni Carmen is composed for 1-4 voice male choir, percussion and two grand pianos, the lyrics are all in Latin: three poems by Janus Pannonius (1434-1472), a few excerpts from the mediaeval collection of Carmina Burana, crowned with two key-words by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: Ergo bibamus… “As for the intonation, the piece is quite accessible,” – says the composer – “however, the rhythm is a true challenge, with the stomping-prancing dance-characters, the atmosphere of the pub-songs, the bowl-raising as a good sport result a specifically craggy, manly, sometimes even macho nature.”

The premiere of Pannonii Carmen will take place during the Closing Ceremony of the festival: 20:00, August 21, Dóm Square (in case of rain: Main hall of University of Pécs, Faculty of Medicine, 12., Szigeti út.)

The composer: VAJDA János (*1949)

Vajda is one of the most prominent and prolific composers of our times. As a trained choral conductor himself, too, he knows well the potentials – even hidden potential! – of the choirs. After graduating from the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music as the student of Párkai István (conducting) and Petrovics Emil (composition), he completed his studies in Amsterdam, at the Sweelinck Conservatory with Ton de Leeuw. Since 1981, he has been teaching composition at the Liszt Academy. Vajda’s oeuvre is extremely wide and various: his stage works as operas and ballets are widely performed throughout Europe, his pieces for instruments (from solo-piece to full symphony) and voice (from song to oratorios, including over 50 pieces for choir) are published mostly by Edition Musica Budapest, Music Contact, Ars Nova and Ascolta.