Ferenc Farkas (1905-2000) was one of Hungary's most important 20th-century composers. He studied with Leó Weiner and Albert Siklós at the Academy of Music in Budapest from 1922 to 1927, then continued his studies in Rome at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia with Ottorino Respighi. From 1935 he taught at the Higher Music School in Budapest, then at the Conservatory in Kolozsvár, and later at the Székesfehérvár Conservatory (he was also director of the latter two). In 1949 he was appointed teacher and later head of the department of composition at the Academy of Music Budapest. His oeuvre of more than 700 works comprises almost every musical genre. His technical virtuosity as a composer and his knowledge of style won him international recognition.