A splash of green catches the eye. Here on Hallam Street a plaque commemorates Cecilia Vajda. This plaque honors a remarkable woman. She significantly impacted music education in Britain.
Cecilia Vajda was born in Budapest in 1923. She died in London in 2009. Vajda was a student of Zoltán Kodály. She embraced his educational principles. She also developed a deep love for choral music.
After graduating Vajda joined the Liszt Academy of Music. She became a professor there. She was also Deputy Director. Later she became Director of the Hungarian Radio Choir in 1959. Iván Kertész noted her wonderful work. He said her training created the choir’s gorgeous sonority.
In 1967, Vajda came to the UK. Yehudi Menuhin invited her. She taught at his school. She also conducted the BBC Chorus. Critics praised her choral conducting ability.
Vajda became the only exponent of Kodály’s principles in Britain. She lectured at many universities. She explained Kodály’s musicianship training. In 1973, Vajda became a Senior Lecturer. This was at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. She founded the Ensemble of Soloists. They recorded Kodály and Bartók.
In 1981, Vajda founded the British Kodály Academy. Menuhin and other musicians supported her. For 25 years, she influenced countless musicians. She established the Kodály Institute of Britain. Her courses were acknowledged by the Liszt Academy. Her books and training materials are still bought worldwide.
The Hungarian Republic awarded Vajda the Civilian Cross in 1992. This was for popularizing Kodály’s concept in Britain. In 2009, she won the Bartók-Pastory Award. Westminster City Council honored her with this Green Plaque. It marks where she lived for 40 years.
Cecilia Vajda adapted Kodály’s principles to the British system. She gave life to the Kodály movement here. Dr László Norbert Nemes said she inspired generations of musicians. Nigel Kennedy loved her unique teaching style. Stephen Hough remembered her infectious vivacity. He said her teaching was as sharp as a knife.
Mary Skone-Roberts described Vajda as kind and generous. She had an impish sense of humor. Vajda loved music. She wanted her students to experience that joy. She rigorously pursued excellence.
Even in her final days, Vajda taught. She taught conducting to nurses. Her smile never faded. Cecilia Vajda enriched the Kodály movement worldwide. Her legacy lives on through this plaque. It commemorates her dedication to music education. It also honors her impact on countless lives.