These Five Hungarian Folks Songs were transcribed and arranged from 78rpm records issued about 1915.

Király Ernő sings several as Old Folk Songs (“Régi Népdalok�), even though Megugrattak Hortobágyon A Karámból Egy Csikót was composed by Vajda József and remains an often recorded song. Megy A Gőzös Lefelé on the Munkacsy recording was composed by Rózsa S. Lajos, but composers of the remaining songs are unidentified.

The records were purchased by József Báthory in Manhattan in the early 20th century, and remained in the family until the 21st century. All the records were transferred to digital form in January 2013, with the original transfer stored in exact condition, after which they were passed on to historian David Neal Lewis for archiving. Files were restored from the digital transfers (rumble, clicks, pops removed as much as possible, noise reduction, and some remastering) and are available for download at:
http://maltedmedia.com/people/bathory/hungarian.html

Special thanks to composer �dám Kondor for translations of the Régi Népdalok texts, and to Dr. A. S. Weinstangel for noting errors in the score. The bowings in this edition are by violinist John Lindsey, who directed the premiere of this set with Vermont’s Eleva Chamber Players.

Katika Csárdás
original performed by unidentified “Military Band�, Columbia 10-inch E920

Nyári este furulyázom sokáig
(‘I play the flute all summer eve’)
original performed by Király Ernő on “Régi Népdalok�, Columbia 12-inch E5077

Bíhari Hatarszélén – Megy A Gőzös Lefelé – Csárdás
(‘At the Bihari border’ - ‘The steamer goes down’ - Csárdás)
original performed by the Olga B. Munkacsy Orchestra, Columbia 10-inch E2858

Megugrattak Hortobágyon A Karámból Egy Csikót
(‘Bringing the pony to the Hortobágyon Woods’)
original performed by Király Ernő on “Régi Népdalok�, Columbia 12-inch E5077

Debreczeni Csárdás Friss
(‘New Debreczen Csárdás’)
original performed by unidentified “Military Band�, Columbia 10-inch E920.