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Soviet & Hungarian Works on CD

The fifth album of this seven-release series introduces the Eastern European music of the twentieth century through Georgian, Russian and Hungarian works in which, in addition to the western influences, there is a trace of national character and socialist aesthetics. Whereas the earlier recordings of the series represented the musical legacy of Western Europe, this compilation exemplifies what happened in the eastern half of Europe in music in the 20th century. Western music developed in relative uniformity, although the individual spirit of a given nation can be recognized and, with respect to French and German music, the distinction had become stronger by the turn of the century. So little can be traced back to real ethnic roots. In Central and Eastern Europe, however, where classical music had not gained so much ground, more scope remained for folk music, which permeated the works of newly emerging composers whether by chance or design. The rightly popular Prokofiev work and the unjustly neglected Lajtha piece, which can be placed in parallel with it, frame the program.