Abstract

The five symphonies written by Ede Terényi are a perfect reflection of the composer`s musical evolution, as well as of the search for new forms of language and expression of a generation that carved its own path in the Romanian and world music of the second half of the 20th century. His interest in serial dodecaphonic music marked his first creative period and is reflected in the Brancusi Symphony (1965), while his penchant for experimentation (graphism, aleatoricism), maintained during his second creative period, bore fruit in the Bakfark Symphony (1978).  His second period of creation was one of experimentation with neo-medieval/Renaissance/Baroque elements, mainly of the old Transylvanian music. The symphonies Space and Light (1983), Hoffgref (1985-2004) and Legends of Transylvania (1993) are works of maturity in which the composer creates multiple syntheses. The present paper aims at providing a description and analysis of the dramaturgical form and structure of these symphonies, while also unveiling some of the secrets of the artistic mind and creative process that the composer has had the generosity to share with us.

Keywords: Ede Terényi, symphonies, Brancusi Symphony, Bakfark Symphony, Space and Light Symphony, Hoffgref Symphony, Legends of Transylvania Symphony

Download article