Szervánszky was a master of carefully elaborated forms. Because of his special feeling for quality and his self-discipline his œuvre is not too voluminous, but in respect of their form and richness of tone colour his works are among the finest of their time. In addition to compositions in various vocal and instrumental genres he also wrote music for the theatre and film soundtracks.

From the beginning of his career his art was strongly influenced by the heritage of Bartók. After World War II his inclination towards experimentation and his individual character as a composer became apparent at first in serene and idyllic works. Later the darker tones of more sombre expressivity appeared in his music alongside the pentatonic or modal, tonal sound inspired by folk music, and the shaping became freer.

Szervánszky was the first composer in Hungary to compose twelve-tone music. In his Six Pieces for Orchestra (1959) he adapted the achievements of the second Viennese School within the framework of Hungarian musical tradition. With this composition he paved the way for the younger generations interested in western trends in contemporary music.
 
Biography