Zoltán Kodály's beliefs regarding music pedagogy were expressed over the course of time in various works he published. While these clearly show that he considered the musical education of children, the music listeners of the future, to be the most important aspect of his mission, he also had firm ideas on the subject of the conditions that needed to be met to make a good (professional) musician. In his 1953 essay, Who is a Good Musician?, he writes, "...the requirements for being a good musician can be summed up in four points: 1) refined hearing, 2) refined understanding, 3) a refined heart, 4) refined hands.”
Aiding a great deal in the development of all four is chamber music, which played an important role in Kodály's creative work, particularly between 1909 and 1920. The works being played as part of this programme were not all originally chamber pieces, but they fit seamlessly into Kodály's idea that "music should belong to everyone” - with the arrangements serving exactly this purpose.

Presented by: Müpa Budapest