This attractive song program brings together three composers who share a common language, as well as their search for the inclusion of folkloristic elements in their own, unmistakably personal style. The Hungarian language, with its unique rhythm and emphasis, has strongly stamped the country’s folk music, and the music of Bartók (1881-1945), Kodály (1882-1967) and Ligeti (1923-2006) is inseparable from its roots and inspiration. Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály both roamed the Hungarian and Rumanian countryside in search of near-lost songs and vocal traditions, notating and recording a wealth of folk music thus saved for posterity. This program presents songs in Hungarian, capturing the spirit of the Hungarian soul: playful, passionate, melancholy and joyful. Sung by Katalin Károlyi, one of Hungary’s foremost mezzo-sopranos, whose repertoire stretches from Renaissance to contemporary music. She sang and recorded with William Christie, and György Ligeti wrote for her his important work for voice and ensemble “Sippal, Dobbal..”. Klára Würtz’ extensive discography for Brilliant Classics and Piano Classics brought her many prizes and top reviews, among which a Gramophone Editor’s Choice and a 10/10 on Classicstoday.com.