Ernst von Dohnanyi

Ruralia Hungarica

Ruralia Hungarica was originally a five movements cycle of piano pieces (Op. 32/a) composed in 1923 on Hungarian folk songs, dedicated to Dohnányi s mother. In 1924, five movements of the piano cycle was orchestrated (Op. 32/b), the orchestral version was premiered under the baton of the composer on 14 September 1924, in Pécs (South Hungary). Ruralia Hungarica was one of Dohnányi s favorite works. He often performed both the version for piano and the one for orchestra, and he composed other versions, too: three movements for violin and piano (Op. 32/c) and one movement for violoncello and piano (Op. 32/d).