Béla Bartók – For Children | Piano Solo Vol I-II (Audio CD)

For Children, Piano Solo – Volumes I–IV

Product Information

• UPC: 5991811230425
• Label/Catalog Number: Hungaroton Classic – HCD 12304
• Format: Audio CD, Album (Reissue, Compilation, Remastered)
• Released: 1994
• Genre: Classical
• Style: Modern
• Total Playing Time: 73:28
• Condition: USED – VERY GOOD
• Manufactured By: DADC Austria
• Piano: Zoltán Kocsis (Steinway B)
• Engineer: Sándor Kálmán
• Producer: Zoltán Hézser
• Liner Notes: András Wilheim (in English)
• Music Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes and Editio Musica Budapest
• Gatefold Cover: Yes
• Matrix/Runout: A0000021356-0101 23 A1

Overview

English:
This remastered 1994 Hungaroton Classic Audio CD presents Béla Bartók’s celebrated For Children piano solo works as performed by the legendary Zoltán Kocsis. This collection—originally composed between 1908–09 and later revised in January 1945—offers an engaging array of 39 pieces arranged into four distinct volumes. Designed specifically for young pianists yet imbued with profound musical character, Bartók’s works in this series range from playful “Children At Play” to reflective “Old Hungarian Tune” and spirited “Swineherd’s Dance.” With a total playing time of 73 minutes and 28 seconds, this release provides both an inspirational study tool and an enjoyable listening experience that bridges folk simplicity with modern harmonic innovations.

Magyar:
Ez a 1994-ben kiadott, újramentéselt Hungaroton Classic Audio CD Bartók Béla híres „Gyermekeknek” zongora solo műveit mutatja be, Zoltán Kocsis előadásában. A 1908–09 között komponált, majd 1945 januárjában átdolgozott kiadvány négy különálló kötetben rendezi el a 39 darabot. A művek egyszerre kínálnak játékos hangulatot („No. 1 Allegro - Children At Play”) és mélyebb érzelmi tartalmat, mint például az „Old Hungarian Tune” vagy a lendületes „Swineherd’s Dance.” A 73 perc 28 másodperces összjáték ideális tanulási segédanyag a fiatal zongoristák számára, miközben Bartók népi egyszerűségét és modern harmóniáit is élvezetessé teszi a hallgatók számára.

Product Features

Audio & Production Highlights

• High-Fidelity Remastering:
  Meticulously remastered to capture every nuance of Bartók’s composition, ensuring vibrant sound quality that does justice to Kocsis’s virtuosic performance.
• Reissue & Compilation:
  This release compiles the complete series of For Children—spanning four volumes—with an excellent balance of technical detail and musical expression.
• Iconic Performance:
  Zoltán Kocsis, celebrated for his interpretative brilliance and technical mastery, brings both sensitivity and incisive clarity to each piece.
• Condition Notice:
  USED – VERY GOOD indicates a lightly pre-owned item in excellent sonic and physical condition.

Musical & Educational Value

• Diverse Repertoire:
  The collection features 39 individual pieces—from lively dance tunes and playful games to lyrical ballads—providing ample material for performance, study, and pedagogy.
• Historical Significance:
  Bartók’s innovative approach to blending folk elements with modern chromaticism is evident throughout the series, making it an essential document for understanding early 20th-century piano literature.
• Educational Resource:
  Perfect for piano students and educators alike, this set encourages technique development and musical interpretation while offering insight into Hungarian cultural heritage.

Track Listing

Note: The set is divided into four volumes. Below is an outline of the track structure along with selected durations where provided.

Volume I (Approximately 16:59 total)

• No. 1 Allegro – “Children At Play” (2:07)
• No. 2 Andante – “Children’s Song”
• No. 3 Quasi Adagio

Volume II (Approximately 17:34 total)

• No. 4 Allegro – “Pillow Dance” (2:34)
• No. 5 Allegretto – “Play”
• No. 6 Allegro – “Study For The Left Hand”
• No. 7 Andante Grazioso – “Play Song” (1:56)
• No. 8 Allegretto – “Children’s Game”
• No. 9 Adagio – “Song” (4:09)
• No. 10 Allegro Molto – “Children’s Dance”
• No. 11 Lento
• No. 12 Allegro
• No. 13 Andante – “Ballad” (1:50)
• No. 14 Allegretto
• No. 15 Allegro Moderato
• No. 16 Andante Rubato – “Old Hungarian Tune” (1:39)
• No. 17 Lento – “Round Dance”
• No. 18 Andante Non Troppo – “Soldier’s Song” (2:43)
• No. 19 Allegretto
• No. 20 Allegro – “Bontal/Drinking Song”
• No. 21 Allegro Robusto

Volume III (Approximately 18:28 total)

• No. 1 Allegro (3:47)
• No. 2 Andante
• No. 3 Allegretto
• No. 4 Andante – “Wedding Song”
• No. 5 Molto Andante – “Variations” (3:47)
• No. 6 Allegro – “Round Dance I”
• No. 7 Andante – “Sorrow”
• No. 8 Allegro Non Troppo – “Dance”
• No. 9 Andante – “Round Dance II” (2:02)
• No. 10 Largo – “Funeral Song”
• No. 11 Lento (2:59)
• No. 12 Andante Rubato
• No. 13 Allegro

Volume IV (Approximately 20:28 total)

• No. 23 Andante Tranquillo (2:19)
• No. 24 Andante
• No. 25 Allegretto – “Scherzando”
• No. 26 Andante Molto Rubato – “Peasant’s Flute” (2:06)
• No. 27 Allegro – “Pleasantry II”
• No. 28 Andante, Molto Rubato (2:37)
• No. 29 Allegro Non Troppo – “Canon”
• No. 30 Vivace – “Bagpipe II”
• No. 31 Allegro – “The Highway Robber” (2:16)
• No. 32 Pesante
• No. 33 Andante Tranquillo
• No. 34 Adagio – “Farewell” (3:30)
• No. 35 Moderato – “Ballad”
• No. 36-37 Parlando, Molto Rubato / Allegro Moderato – “Rhapsody” (2:39)
• No. 38 Lento – “Dirge” (4:15)
• No. 39 Lento – “Mourning Song”

Note: Several track titles include descriptive indicators that illustrate the character of each piece (e.g., “Children At Play,” “Soldier’s Song,” “Swineherd’s Dance”).

Publishers & Credits

• Music Publishers: Boosey & Hawkes and Editio Musica Budapest
• Photographic Credits: György Hegedűs, János Huschit
• Additional Credits:
  • Recorded on December 29, December 30, and November 24–25, 1980
  • Music composed in 1908–09 and revised in January 1945

Interesting Facts

English:

• Pedagogical Gem:
  Bartók’s For Children series remains an essential repertoire for the development of piano technique and interpretation—capturing the blend of folk simplicity and modern complexity.
• Legendary Interpreter:
  Zoltán Kocsis’s renowned interpretations are known for their expressive clarity and technical precision, making this reissue a treasured document for collectors and music scholars.
• Historical Recording:
  Originally recorded in 1980, this reissue offers insight into Bartók’s early musical experiments and his enduring influence on 20th-century piano literature.

Magyar:

• Pedagógiai Kincs:
  Bartók „Gyermekeknek” sorozata alapmű a zongoratanulók számára, mely egyesíti a népi egyszerűséget a modern összetettséggel.
• Legendás Előadás:
  Kocsis Zoltán előadásai kifejezetten a kifejező tisztaságukról és technikai kiválóságukról híresek, így ez a kiadás igazi gyűjtői darab és zenei kutatómunkák alapja.
• Történelmi Felvétel:
  Az 1980-ban készült felvétel bepillantást enged Bartók korai kísérleteibe és 20. századi zongorai örökségébe.

Hashtags

English:

#BartokForChildren #ZoltanKocsis #PianoSoloBartok #HungarotonClassic #BartokPiano #ClassicalReissue #ModernClassical #PianoPedagogy #BartokLegacy

Hungarian (Címkék):

#BartókGyermekeknek #KocsisZoltán #Zongoraszólista #HungarotonClassic #BartókZongora #KlasszikusKiadvány #ModernKlasszikus #ZongoraOktatás #BartókÖrökség