In the Second Violin Concerto, Bartók explicitly marked the opening theme as 'tempo di verbunkos', referencing a popular Hungarian style he had previously rejected.
Compositional Technique
The First Violin Concerto opens with a four-note rising figure (D-F#-A-C#) that Bartók described as Stefi Geyer's "Leitmotiv," appearing frequently in his compositions from that period.
Composition History
Béla Bartók's two violin concertos, completed 30 years apart, were inspired by his relationships with two Hungarian violinists: Stefi Geyer and Zoltán Székely.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Bartók reportedly told Yehudi Menuhin that in the Second Violin Concerto, he aimed to show Arnold Schoenberg that "one can use all twelve tones and still remain tonal."
Composer Biography
Bartók was "completely besotted" with Stefi Geyer, a child prodigy violinist, but his atheism played a part in preventing their friendship from becoming a serious relationship.
Recording & Production
This recording is based on a series of live performances at the Helsinki Music Centre in Finland, held on October 18-19, 2017.
Performer Biography
Christian Tetzlaff, the violinist on this recording, plays a violin made by German violin maker Peter Greiner.
