In his early career, Bartók was an ardent patriot whose music, such as the symphonic poem Kossuth, consciously reflected his nationalist views.
Composer Biography
Béla Bartók, the composer, was notoriously reserved but expressed great excitement in a letter to his mother about dedicating a piece to his teacher, István Thomán.
Composition History
Bartók's early piano works, including the ambitious Study for the Left Hand, were influenced by Liszt and composed during a period of intense creativity stimulated by personal attachments.
Performer Biography
Jenő Jandó, the pianist on this recording, has won several piano competitions and recorded extensively for Naxos, including the complete piano music of Bartók.
Composer Biography
Bartók's teachers and mentors, Ernő Dohnányi and István Thomán, both had a significant influence on him; Thomán was also a pupil of Liszt.
Compositional Technique
Bartók's symphonic poem Kossuth, inspired by the Hungarian insurrection of the 1840s, features fervent titles for its sections like 'The Fatherland is in danger!' and 'Up and fight them!'.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded in August 2008 at Phoenix Hall, Diósd, Hungary, with Ibolya Tóth as producer and János Bohus as engineer.
