Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra, Violin Rhapsodies & Dance Suite
11/3/2017, 16 Tracks, 1:20:24
Featuring
Edward Gardner
James Ehnes
Hans-Kristian Kjos Sørensen
Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
Béla Bartók
Did you know?
1/7
Compositional Technique
The Concerto for Orchestra uses a five-part palindromic form, with two symphonic movements enclosing two scherzos and a central elegy.
Instruments
The First Rhapsody features the cimbalom, a most Hungarian instrument, which Bartók used only in this work.
Compositional Technique
In the Concerto for Orchestra, the second scherzo, an Intermezzo, is interrupted by a quotation from Shostakovich's Leningrad Symphony, which Bartók then satirizes.
Performer Biography
James Ehnes, the violinist on this album, plays the 'Marsick' Stradivarius of 1715.
Composition History
The Concerto for Orchestra, Bartók's largest work in his last five years, was commissioned by Serge Koussevitzky at the urging of friends to help restore Bartók's morale, health, and finances.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Béla Bartók's fascination with folk music extended beyond rhythms and melodies to its social power, binding communities in joy, lament, work, or relaxation.
Composition History
Bartók completed the Concerto for Orchestra in a remarkably short eight weeks, suggesting the commission reinvigorated him.
You might also enjoy...
Bartok: 4 Pieces - Rhapsodies for Violin and Orchestra - Concerto for Viola and Orchestra
Bartók: Violin Concerto No.2; Rhapsodies
Beethoven : Violin Concerto & 2 Romances
Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61, Romances for Violin and Orchestra No. 1 in G Major, Op. 40 & No. 2 in F Major, Op. 50
