Description

Bartók Béla: Cantata Profana, Concerto for Orchestra (Audio CD)

Featuring Tenor József Réti, Bass András Faragó, and Conductor János Ferencsik with the Budapest Chorus, Budapest Symphony Orchestra, and Hungarian State Orchestra | Hungaroton – HCD 12759-2

Product Information

Label: Hungaroton Classic – HCD 12759-2
UPC: —
Product Type: Audio CD (Stereo)
Country: Europe (Manufactured in West Germany, 1986)
Released: 1986
Genre: Classical
Style: Modern
Format: Audio CD
Booklet: 36-page booklet featuring an Introduction in English, French, and German; full sung text of the Cantata in the original Hungarian with translations
Rights Society: Artisjus

Overview

Cantata Profana, subtitled "A kilenc csodaszarvas" (The Nine Enchanted Stags), Sz. 94, is a large-scale work for tenor, baritone, double mixed chorus, and orchestra composed by Béla Bartók. Completed on 8 September 1930 and premiered in London on 25 May 1934 with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Wireless Chorus, this work tells the mythic story of a father and his nine sons who, in their hunt for a stag, are transformed into deer. Inspired by Romanian Christmas tales and imbued with pagan and mythological motifs, the Cantata combines a strictly rhythmic choral narration with expressive, melismatic solo passages.

In addition, this release features Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra (Sz. 116), a masterful work that unfolds in five movements—Introduzione, Giuoco delle coppie, Elegia, Intermezzo interrotto, and Finale—showcasing the composer’s unique blend of dynamic orchestration and modern harmonic language.

French Translation - Overview (Aperçu)

Cantata Profana, sous-titrée « Les Neuf Cerfs Enchantés » (Sz. 94), est une œuvre de grande envergure pour ténor, baryton, chœur mixte double et orchestre, composée par Béla Bartók. Achevée le 8 septembre 1930 et créée à Londres le 25 mai 1934 avec le BBC Symphony Orchestra et le Wireless Chorus, cette œuvre raconte l'histoire mythique d'un père et de ses neuf fils qui, lors d'une chasse au cerf, se transforment en biches. Inspirée par les contes de Noël roumains et imprégnée de motifs païens et mythologiques, la cantate combine une narration chorale rythmée avec des passages solistes expressifs et mélismatiques.

De plus, ce disque présente également le Concerto for Orchestra (Sz. 116) de Bartók, une œuvre magistrale en cinq mouvements—Introduzione, Giuoco delle coppie, Elegia, Intermezzo interrotto et Finale—mettant en valeur l’orchestration dynamique et le langage harmonique moderne du compositeur.

German Translation - Überblick

Cantata Profana (unter dem Untertitel „A kilenc csodaszarvas“ – Die Neun Verzauberten Hirsche, Sz. 94) ist ein groß angelegtes Werk für Tenor, Bariton, Doppelgemischten Chor und Orchester, komponiert von Béla Bartók. Fertiggestellt am 8. September 1930 und uraufgeführt in London am 25. Mai 1934 mit dem BBC Symphony Orchestra und Wireless Chorus, erzählt dieses Werk die mythische Geschichte eines Vaters und seiner neun Söhne, die auf der Jagd nach einem Hirsch in Hirsche verwandelt werden. Inspiriert von rumänischen Weihnachtsgeschichten und durchdrungen von heidnischen und mythologischen Motiven, kombiniert die Kantate eine streng rhythmische Chornarration mit ausdrucksstarken, melismatischen Solopassagen.

Zusätzlich enthält diese Veröffentlichung Bartóks Concerto for Orchestra (Sz. 116), ein meisterhaftes Werk in fünf Sätzen – Introduzione, Giuoco delle coppie, Elegia, Intermezzo interrotto und Finale – das die einzigartige Mischung aus dynamischer Orchestrierung und moderner Harmonik des Komponisten zur Schau stellt.

Product Features

Dual-Work Release:Exceptional Liner Notes and Booklet:
- Cantata Profana: A dramatic cantata for tenor, baritone, double mixed chorus, and orchestra with mythological and pagan motifs.
- Concerto for Orchestra: A five-movement orchestral masterpiece highlighting Bartók’s modern compositional style.
The 36-page booklet includes an introduction and full sung texts of the Cantata in Hungarian with translations in English, French, and German, providing valuable context and insights.
Outstanding Performances:Long-Tail Keywords:
- Cantata Profana: Features tenor József Réti and baritone András Faragó with the Budapest Chorus and Budapest Symphony Orchestra, conducted by János Ferencsik.
- Concerto for Orchestra: Conducted by János Ferencsik with the Hungarian State Orchestra.
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Interesting Facts

Mythical Narrative:
Cantata Profana narrates the transformation of a father and his nine sons into deer, a story inspired by Romanian folklore and Christmas tales, creating a dramatic interplay between natural elements and myth.
Dual Legacy:
The release juxtaposes two of Bartók’s monumental works, offering listeners a broad perspective on his mastery in both vocal-orchestral and purely orchestral forms.
Historical Significance:
Premiered in 1934, the Cantata has been celebrated for its rhythmic vitality and expressive depth, while the Concerto for Orchestra remains a cornerstone of 20th-century orchestral repertoire.
Expert Production:
Engineered by István Berényi and László Csintalan, with executive production by András Székely and László Beck, the CD was manufactured to high standards in West Germany.

Track Listing

Cantata Profana, Sz. 94 – The Nine Enchanted Stags

Cantata Profana – 19:44
- Featuring: Tenor József Réti, Baritone András Faragó, Budapest Chorus, Budapest Symphony Orchestra, conducted by János Ferencsik.

Concerto for Orchestra, Sz. 116

I. Introduzione – 9:58
II. Giuoco delle coppie – 6:38
III. Elegia – 7:04
IV. Intermezzo interrotto – 3:53
V. Finale – 9:38

Additional Credits:

Engineer: István Berényi (Tracks: 2–6), László Csintalan (Track: 1)
Executive Producers: András Székely (Track: 1), László Beck (Tracks: 2–6)
Liner Notes: András Batta

Publishers

Released by Hungaroton in 1986. All rights reserved under the Hungaroton label.
The included 36-page booklet provides an in-depth introduction and the full sung texts of Cantata Profana in Hungarian, translated into English, French, and German.

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