Bartók: Works for Solo Piano, Sonata for Two Pianos & Percussions

Featuring

Cheng Zhang
Tomoki Kitamura
Juris Azers
Weiqi Bai
Béla Bartók

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Recording & Production

This album was recorded at the Salle de Musique de La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland, a hall inaugurated in 1955 and known for its extraordinary acoustics.

Compositional Technique

The album features Béla Bartók's quintessential works, showcasing his three main compositional genres and his ability to achieve distinctive sonorities from the piano.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Cheng Zhang is drawn to Béla Bartók's music because he perceives Bartók as a 'lonely soul' who confronts the world with 'absolute realness and directness,' combined with kindness and respect for nature.

Interpretation

Pianist Cheng Zhang views his role as an interpreter, similar to an actor, decoding a piece of art and transmitting it to the audience.

Performer Biography

Cheng Zhang initially lacked confidence in his piano abilities, despite starting at a young age, and was hesitant to enter competitions.

Performer Biography

Cheng Zhang, a Chinese pianist, was the first Chinese person to win the Clara Haskil International Piano Competition since its inception in 1963.

Historical Context

Béla Bartók had a close relationship with Switzerland, visiting and performing his compositions there several times, and receiving three commissions from Swiss conductor and patron Paul Sacher.