Bartók's two Violin Sonatas, Sz 75-76, were composed in 1921-22, during a period when he was also deepening his knowledge of French music.
Performer Biography
Peter Csaba, the violinist on this recording, was born in Transylvania in 1952 and won the Paganini Competition in Genoa.
Critical Reception
Despite their dark and frenetic anguish, Bartók's two Violin Sonatas established him as one of the great masters of the 20th century.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Béla Bartók's approach to instrumental and chamber music changed around 1907, moving away from transposing known forms into an impressionistic style.
Composition History
Bartók wrote the First Violin Sonata after Jelly d'Aranyi, a Hungarian violinist who had emigrated to England, asked him for a violin piece.
Performer Biography
Jean-François Heisser, the pianist on this recording, studied at the Paris National Conservatory with Vlado Perlemuter and is considered his direct descendant.
Compositional Technique
Bartók founded his musical language on a new harmonic articulation, using a 'natural scale' based on Lydian and Dorian tetracords of Romanian folk origin.
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