Bálint Bakfark

Bálint Bakfark, also called Valentin Greff Bakfark, (born 1506/1507, Brassó, Transylvania,
Hung. [now Braşov, Rom.]—died Aug. 15/22, 1576, Padova, Italy), lutenist and composer
who was the rst Hungarian musician to attain a European reputation.

Bakfark’s formative years were spent at the court of Transylvanian Prince János Zápolya
(Szápolyai; later King John I), who bestowed nobility on him in return for his services. After
John’s death in 1540, Bakfark moved to France, where he entered the service of Franƈois
Cardinal de Tournon, closest adviser to the French king Francis I. He subsequently spent
time at several European courts, chie y that of Sigismund II Augustus of Poland, as court
musician.

Bakfark was one of the most celebrated lutenists of his day and a noted composer as well.
His rst volume of lute pieces was published in Lyon in 1553, titled Intabulatura…liber
primus (“Record of Works…Book One”). This was followed in 1565 by a second collection
published at his own expense in Kraków, the Pannonii harmonicarum musicarum...tomus
primus (“First Volume…of Hungarian Harmonic Music”). His compositions were issued by
publishers all over Europe and proved enormously popular. Together with his own
virtuoso playing, they helped establish the popularity of instrumental music. His
compositions and his strictly polyphonic technique elevated the style of lute music. In 1576
he fell victim to the plague. When he sensed that death was near, he burned all his works
that had not yet been published.

CITATION INFORMATION
ARTICLE TITLE: Bálint Bakfark
WEBSITE NAME: Encyclopaedia Britannica
PUBLISHER: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
DATE PUBLISHED: 21 January 2015
URL: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Balint-Bakfark
ACCESS DATE: February 25, 2020