(b Odorheiu Secuiesc, 12/25 April 1913; dCluj-Napoca, 6 Dec 1989). Romanian composer of Hungarian descent. After taking the doctorate in law at Cluj University (1930–37) he studied composition with Kodály at the Budapest Academy and pursued piano studies (1939–42). Jodál's career included appointments in Cluj as assistant music master at the Hungarian Theatre (1942–4), as lecturer at the Hungarian Arts Institute (1947–50) and as lecturer (1950) then pro-rector (1965–73) at the Academy. A composer of traditional stylistic orientation, he was highly self-critical and left few works. The refinement of his writing complements the subtlety of his harmonic and melodic language.
WORKS
(selective list)
Orch: Suite, 1952; Simfonietta, small orch, 1957; Divertisment, small orch, 1964; Nocturnă, chbr orch, 1976; Scherzo, chbr orch, 1978; Simfonia brevis, 2 hn, timp, str, 1981
Chbr and solo inst: Sonata no.1, vn, pf, 1946; Sonata no.2, vn, pf, 1953; 6 cântece secuieşti [6 Székely Songs], pf, 1954; Sonatina, pf, 1954; Str Qt, 1955; Suite, fl, pf, 1955; 3 piese, ww qnt, 1959; Suite, ww qnt, 1966; 3 nocturne, fl, cl, va, vc, pf, 1967; Sonata, va, pf, 1974; Suite no.2, fl, pf, 1977; 3 piese, ob, pf, 1978; 3 piese fantezii, fl, cl, mar, va, pf, perc, 1978; Sonata, cl, pf, 1981; Sonatina no.1, va, db, 1981; Sonatina no.2, va, db, 1982
Other works: La poarta ţârii basmelor [At the Gate of the Land of Fairytales] (ballet, 5 tableaux, M. Gale), 1952; Revoluţia (cant., M. Scorobete), 1964; choral works, songs