Zoltan Kodaly is a composer who is famous for collecting thousands of his native Hungarian songs and folk music. His Dances from Galanta comes from the town where he was raised up, for example. Kodaly specialized in the art of comic opera, which was first performed in 1926 to great success in Europe.

The opera tells the tale of a mythical soldier who spun many tall tales of his exploits to the point where he claimed to have defeated Napoleon's army single-handed. Kodaly brought together in The Suite six episodes from the opera, including the Viennese Musical Clock movement, John Harrington's viola opening Intermezzo and the playing of Hungary's national instrument, the cimbalom. The Suite ends with the performance of the Entrance of the Emperor and his Court. The Royal Scottish National Orchestra performs this composition with great flair, and the Hungarian theme is furthered by their energetic conductor Gilbert Varga.

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