The Hungarian composer István Szelényi (1904 - 1972), a student of Kodály, originally wrote "Aria" for cello or clarinet and piano. Subsequently the solo part has been transcribed for violin (arranged by Susanne Bánk) and viola (arranged by Martin Fischer). The original version, an elegiac, cantabile concert piece - many rhythmic and melodical features are influenced by Kodály and Hungarian folk music - requires a beautiful tone and a freely drawn-out tempos with plenty of rubato from the performer.