László Lajtha remains Hungary's foremost symphonist and one of the country's greatest composers of the first half of the twentieth century. Written when he was 44, the vigorous and optimistic Symphony No. 1, Op. 24 reveals a strong affinity with Latin and French models and with indigenous Hungarian folk-music. By 1941, when In memoriam was composed, the mood had darkened and this work is a shocking yet eloquent protest against the brutality of war. The delicious four movement Suite pour orchestre was compiled by the composer from his ballet Lysistrata.