Gárdonyi was born in
Budapest. His mother, the pianist Maria Weigl, studied at the
Franz Liszt Academy of Music with
Liszt's pupil,
István Thomán, at the same time and in the same class as
Béla Bartók. At the age of 17, Gárdonyi began his studies in composition with
Zoltán Kodály at the Liszt Academy in Budapest.[1] After studying with
Paul Hindemith and
Arnold Schering in Berlin, he taught as a professor at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest from 1941 until 1967.[1] He also led the faculty for Protestant sacred music until it was closed by the communists in 1949.[2]
His oeuvre includes sacred music, orchestral works and chamber music.[1] Three of his motets for choir
a cappella were published in German by
Schott, "Finnisches Busslied", "Der Herr ist mein Hirte" (
Psalm 23) and "Singet dem Herren" (
Psalm 96).[3] Gárdonyi's musicological research yielded findings related to
Bach and
Liszt. His works were published in Germany, Hungary, Sweden and the United States. Gárdonyi lived in Germany with his family beginning in 1972. He died in Westfalian
Herford a few weeks after his 80th birthday.[1]
Some of Gárdonyi's works were recorded, including his three organ sonatas and the Partita sopra Veni Creator Spiritus, played by Dezső Karasszon, as well as several further organ works and German motets.[4] The Partita is a symphonic organ composition, consisting of the following mouvements: introduction (Largo), theme (Lento), four variations and finale (Allegro maestoso), based on
Martin Luther's
hymn for
Pentecost "Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist".[5]
Publications
Elemző formatan (1949, 1963, 1979, 1990), Publisher: Editio Musica Budapest, ISMN: M080039953
J.S.Bach ellenpont-művészetének alapjai (1967), Publisher: Editio Musica Budapest
J.S.Bach kánon- és fúgaszerkesztö művészete (1972), Publisher: Editio Musica Budapest
Meditatio in memoriam
Zoltán Kodály (Meditation in Memory of Zoltán Kodály)
Postludium
Piano
Könnyű szonatina (Easy Sonatina; Leichte Sonatine) (1952)
Fünf Klavierstücke nach ungarischen Volksliedern (Five Pieces after Hungarian Folk Songs) for piano 4-hands
Fünfzehn ungarische Volkslieder (15 Hungarian Folk Songs) for piano 4-hands
Vocal
Fünf Lieder nach Gedichten von Rilke (Five Songs on Poems by
Rainer Maria Rilke) for soprano and piano (1941)
Choral
Lobgesang nach Psalm 45 (Dicsérő ének; Song of Praise:
Psalm 45) for mixed chorus, string orchestra and organ (1960) or for mixed chorus and organ (1981)
Adeste fideles for mixed chorus and organ (1974)
Drei Motetten (Three Motets) for mixed chorus
a cappella