Hector Berlioz

Ungarsk marsj

The 'Rákóczi March' (Hungarian March) was the unofficial state anthem of Hungary before Ferenc Kölcsey wrote the Himnusz which is today the official national anthem of Hungary.

The first version of this march-song was probably created around 1730 by one or more anonymous composers, although tradition says that it was the favorite march of Francis Rákóczi II. That early version called back Francis Rákóczi II to save his people. It was very popular in the 18th century but in the 19th century the more refined Rákóczi March became prevalent.

Hector Berlioz included the music in his composition 'La Damnation de Faust' in 1846, and Franz Liszt wrote a number of arrangements, including his Hungarian Rhapsody No. 15, based on the theme.

The march gave its name to a 1933 Austrian-Hungarian feature film - Rakoczy-Marsch

This arrangement is based on Berlioz instrumentation and phrasing from his Hungarian March, but in the form of the 19th century Rákóczi March