Béla Bartók: Works for Piano Solo 6 / Philips Audio CD

UPC 028946290224

Overview

This remarkable album showcases Béla Bartók's iconic piano compositions, performed by the legendary Zoltán Kocsis. Released by Philips Classics in 2000, this recording is a part of the series dedicated to the complete piano works of Bartók. Kocsis’s interpretation of these pieces is unparalleled, penetrating the very heart of Bartók’s music with a depth that has made this album a reference for future generations. This volume features a selection of Bartók’s works, ranging from playful burlesques to the deeply evocative Hungarian peasant songs, offering a profound insight into the composer’s style and mastery.

Track Listing

• Three Burlesques, BB 55 (Op. 8c)

  1. Quarrel – Perpatvar – Zankerei (2:00)
  2. Slightly Tipsy – Kicsit Azottan – Un Peu Gris – Etwas Angeheitert (2:15)
  3. Molto Vivo, Capriccioso (2:28)

• Seven Sketches, BB 54 (Op. 9b)

  1. Leányi Arckép – Portrait D'Une Jeune Fille – Mädchenbildnis (1:47)
  2. See-saw, Dickory-daw – Hinta Palinta – Balançoire – Schaukelspiel (0:50)
  3. Lento (1:58)
  4. Non Troppo Lento (3:26)
  5. Romanian Folksong – Roman Népdal – Mélodie Populaire Roumaine – Rumänisches Volkslied (1:09)
  6. In Wallachian Style – Oláhos – A La Manière Valaque – Walachisch (0:35)
  7. Poco Lento (1:40)

• Fifteen Hungarian Peasant Songs, BB 79

  1. Rubato (0:48)
  2. Andante (1:52)
  3. Poco Rubato (0:39)
  4. Andante (0:59)
  5. Scherzo: Allegro (0:51)
  6. Ballade (Tema Con Variazioni) (2:31)
  7. Allegro (0:39)
  8. Allegretto (0:31)
  9. Allegretto (0:13)
  10. L'Istesso Tempo (0:26)
  11. Assai Moderato (0:54)
      22.1 Allegretto (1:03)
      22.2 Poco Piu Vivo – Tempo I (1:29)
  12. Allegro (1:32)

• Improvisations on Hungarian Peasant Songs, BB 83 (Op. 20)

  1. Molto Moderato (1:10)
  2. Molto Capriccioso (1:06)
  3. Lento Rubato (2:20)
  4. Allegretto Scherzando (0:40)
  5. Allegro Molto (0:48)
  6. Allegro Moderato (1:22)
  7. Sostenuto, Rubato (1:47)
  8. Allegro (1:45)

• Ten Easy Piano Pieces, BB 51

  1. Dedication – Ajánlás – Dédicace – Widmung (3:30)
  2. Peasant Song – Paraszti Nóta – Chanson Paysanne – Bauernlied (1:02)
  3. Frustration – Lassú Vergodés – Frustration – Qualvolles Ringen (1:35)
  4. Slovakian Boy's Dance – Tót Legények Tánca – Danse Du Garçon Slovaque – Tanz Der Slowaken (0:52)
  5. Sostenuto (1:36)
  6. Evening in Transylvania – Este A Székelyeknél – Veillée Chez Les Sicules – Abend Am Lande (2:35)
  7. Hungarian Folksong – Gödöllei Piactéren Leesett A Hó – Chanson Folklorique Hongroise – Magyarisches Volkslied (0:52)
  8. Dawn – Hajnal – Lever Du Jour – Aurora (1:26)
  9. Slovakian Folksong – Azt Mondják, Nem Adnak – Danse Des Gars Slovaques – Slowakischen Volkslieds (1:18)
  10. Five-Finger Exercise – Ujjgyakorlat – Exercice A Cinq Doigts – Fingerübung (1:33)
  11. Bear Dance – Medvetánc – Danse De L'Ours – Bärentanz (1:46)

Key Credits

• Composed by: Béla Bartók
• Edited by: Jean Van Vugt (tracks 1-3, 33-43), Martin Vos (tracks 4-32)
• Engineer: Cees Heijkoop (tracks 4-32), Jean-Marie Geijsen (tracks 1-3, 33-43)
• Executive Producer/Producer: Wilhelm Hellweg
• Liner Notes: László Somfai
• Piano Performance: Zoltán Kocsis