EPISODE · Apr 3, 2026 · 18 MIN
Podcast #06: MIKLÓS RÓZSA – beyond Ben Hur #classicaldiscoveries #podcast
from Classical Discoveries · host Capriccio Records | Classical Music Podcast
In this episode, we explore the fascinating life and work of composer Miklós Rózsa, focusing on his “double life” balancing film scoring and concert hall composition. Initially resistant to working in film, Rózsa went on to achieve great success in Hollywood, winning three Academy Awards for his scores to Ben-Hur, Spellbound, and A Double Life.The hosts discuss Rózsa’s autobiography and his complex relationship with the world of film, contrasting his views with those of composers like Shostakovich, who seemed less troubled by such artistic boundaries. They delve into how Rózsa used his film work to fund his concert compositions, negotiating unique contracts that allowed him summers in Italy to focus on “serious” music.You’ll hear excerpts from several of Rózsa’s concert works—including the energetic Overture to a Symphony Concert, the lyrical Hungarian Serenade, and the expressive Sinfonia concertante—and learn about his collaborations with legendary figures like Leonard Bernstein, Bruno Walter, Jascha Heifetz, and János Starker. Throughout, the hosts challenge long-standing biases against film composers and celebrate Rózsa’s contributions to both classical and cinematic music.Chapters0:21 Introduction1:24 A Double Life4:55 A Serious Classical Composer7:55 Overture Op. 26a – The Recording Session9:53 A Different Style?10:55 The Film Career12:01 Hungarian Serenade Op. 2514:42 Sinfonia concertante Op. 29 (Preview)17:08 Conclusion💿 Featured Recording 💿RÓZSA, M.: Overture to a Symphony Concert / Hungarian Serenade / TripartitaLabel: Capriccio C5514🎧 Listen now: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5514!PodcastHosts: Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) & Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)Follow Capriccio:► YouTube► Facebook► Instagram► Twitter► Website#capriccio #podcast #MiklósRózsa #FilmComposer #ClassicalMusic #MovieScores #BenHur #Spellbound #ADoubleLife #Composer #HollywoodComposer #HungarianComposer #FilmMusic #Soundtrack #ClassicalMusicPodcast #MusicHistory #20thCenturyMusic #PodcastRecommendation #MusicLover #NewMusic
What this episode covers
In this episode, we explore the fascinating life and work of composer Miklós Rózsa, focusing on his “double life” balancing film scoring and concert hall composition. Initially resistant to working in film, Rózsa went on to achieve great success in Hollywood, winning three Academy Awards for his scores to Ben-Hur, Spellbound, and A Double Life.The hosts discuss Rózsa’s autobiography and his complex relationship with the world of film, contrasting his views with those of composers like Shostakovich, who seemed less troubled by such artistic boundaries. They delve into how Rózsa used his film work to fund his concert compositions, negotiating unique contracts that allowed him summers in Italy to focus on “serious” music.You’ll hear excerpts from several of Rózsa’s concert works—including the energetic Overture to a Symphony Concert, the lyrical Hungarian Serenade, and the expressive Sinfonia concertante—and learn about his collaborations with legendary figures like Leonard Bernstein, Bruno Walter, Jascha Heifetz, and János Starker. Throughout, the hosts challenge long-standing biases against film composers and celebrate Rózsa’s contributions to both classical and cinematic music.Chapters0:21 Introduction1:24 A Double Life4:55 A Serious Classical Composer7:55 Overture Op. 26a – The Recording Session9:53 A Different Style?10:55 The Film Career12:01 Hungarian Serenade Op. 2514:42 Sinfonia concertante Op. 29 (Preview)17:08 Conclusion💿 Featured Recording 💿RÓZSA, M.: Overture to a Symphony Concert / Hungarian Serenade / TripartitaLabel: Capriccio C5514🎧 Listen now: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5514!PodcastHosts: Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) & Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)Follow Capriccio:► YouTube► Facebook► Instagram► Twitter► Website#capriccio #podcast #MiklósRózsa #FilmComposer #ClassicalMusic #MovieScores #BenHur #Spellbound #ADoubleLife #Composer #HollywoodComposer #HungarianComposer #FilmMusic #Soundtrack #ClassicalMusicPodcast #MusicHistory #20thCenturyMusic #PodcastRecommendation #MusicLover #NewMusic
NOW PLAYING
Podcast #06: MIKLÓS RÓZSA – beyond Ben Hur #classicaldiscoveries #podcast
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.
Similar Podcasts
No similar podcasts found.