Béla Bartók, Zoltán Kocsis – Works For Piano Solo (4x Audio CD Box Set)

The First Three Volumes; The Three Piano Concertos
Philips 4x Audio CD Box Set, 1995

Product Information

• Label: Philips – 446 368-2
• UPC: 028944636826
• Format: 4x CD, Compilation, Box Set
• Country: Europe
• Released: 1995
• Genre: Classical
• Style: Modern, Folk
• Performed By:
  • Piano: Zoltán Kocsis
  • Orchestra (for the concertos): Budapest Festival Orchestra
  • Conductor (for CD 4 tracks): Ivan Fischer

Béla Bartók (1881–1945) was a Hungarian composer, pianist, and ethnomusicologist whose pioneering work in folk music collection and analysis laid the foundations for modern ethnomusicology. Together with Franz Liszt, he is hailed as one of Hungary’s greatest composers.

Overview

English:
This comprehensive Philips box set presents a definitive collection of Béla Bartók’s solo piano works alongside his three monumental piano concertos. Spanning the first three volumes of solo pieces and the concertos on a fourth CD, the compilation features an extraordinary range of Bartók’s music—from delicate Bagatelles, Elegies, and folk-inspired dances to robust studies and rondos based on traditional motifs. Accompanied by Zoltán Kocsis’s masterful piano interpretations and supported by the Budapest Festival Orchestra under the baton of Ivan Fischer on the concerto disc, this set offers both scholarly insight and an exceptional listening experience into Bartók’s innovative and influential musical legacy.

Hungarian (Áttekintés):
Ez a Philips box set átfogó válogatást mutat be Bartók Béla zongoradarabjaiból, valamint három kiemelkedő zongorakonzertjét – az első három kötet a szóló zongorás műveket tartalmazza, míg a negyedik CD-en a koncertek hallhatók. A válogatásban megtalálhatók a finom Bagatellák, elegiák, népi ihletésű táncok, valamint a tradicionális motívumokon alapuló virtuóz tanulmányok és rondók is. Zoltán Kocsis zseniális zongorajátékával, valamint az Budapest Festival Orchestra és Ivan Fischer karmester vezetésével a koncertlemez felejthetetlen élményt nyújt Bartók innovatív és meghatározó zenei örökségének felfedezéséhez.

German (Übersicht):
Diese umfassende Philips-Box-Set bietet eine definitive Sammlung von Béla Bartóks Solo-Klavierwerken sowie seinen drei monumentalen Klavierkonzerten. Die ersten drei Bände beinhalten Solo-Stücke – von zarten Bagatellen, Elegien und volksinspirierten Tänzen bis hin zu anspruchsvollen Studien und Rondos, die auf traditionellen Motiven basieren – während die vierte CD die Konzerte präsentiert. Mit Zoltán Kocsis’ meisterhaften Klavierspiel und dem Budapest Festival Orchestra unter der Leitung von Ivan Fischer bietet dieses Set einen tiefgründigen Einblick in Bartóks innovative und einflussreiche musikalische Hinterlassenschaft.

Product Features

• Comprehensive Repertoire:
  • The set is divided into two sections:
    • Volumes I–III: A wide-ranging collection of solo piano works including Bagatelles, Elegies, Romanian Folk Dances, Sonatina, Hungarian Folk Tunes, studies, rondos, and a four-part "For Children" series.
    • Volume IV: The Three Piano Concertos, showcasing Bartók’s virtuosic orchestral writing and innovative piano techniques.
• Expert Performance:
  • Zoltán Kocsis – Renowned for his sublime interpretations of Bartók’s piano oeuvre.
  • Budapest Festival Orchestra and Conductor Ivan Fischer – Deliver powerful and refined interpretations on the concerto disc.
• Audio Quality:
  • Presented on four CDs with Philips’ high-fidelity digital remastering, ensuring superb sound quality for both solo and orchestral works.
• Scholarly Liner Notes & Production Credits:
  • Detailed liner notes by distinguished musicologists and engineers provide in-depth context and insight into Bartók’s works.

Interesting Facts

• Innovative Musical Vision:
  • Bartók was not only a towering figure in 20th-century composition but also a pioneering ethnomusicologist who integrated folk elements into his sophisticated musical language.
• Historical Significance:
  • The works in this box set capture the revolutionary spirit of Bartók’s music, depicting his lifelong commitment to melding classical structure with the spontaneity of folk traditions.
• Masterful Performances:
  • Zoltán Kocsis’ recordings are widely acclaimed for their precision, sensitivity, and profound understanding of Bartók’s diverse repertoire.
• Extensive Track List:
  • The set features a total of over 80 individual tracks, including intricate solo pieces and expansive concerto movements, reflecting Bartók’s versatility and innovative craftsmanship.

Track Listing Overview

Due to the extensive nature of this box set, the track listing is organized as follows:

Volume I – Solo Piano Works (Selections)

• Bagatelles, Sz. 38 (Op. 6): 14 short pieces ranging from Molto Sostenuto to Waltz (Presto).
• Elegies, Sz. 41 (Op. 8b): Two poignant movements.
• Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56: A vibrant collection of six folk-inspired dances.
• Sonatina, Sz. 55: Three movements demonstrating Bartók’s dynamic contrasts.
• Hungarian Folk Tunes, Sz. 66: Three pieces capturing the essence of Hungarian melodies.

Volume II – Additional Solo Works

• Romanian Dances, Dirges, Suite, and Christmas Carols:
• Studies, Rondos, and the first installment of the “For Children” series.

Volume III – “For Children” Series (Volumes II & III)

• An expansive collection of pedagogical pieces:
  • Four volumes featuring playful, educational pieces designed for developing pianistic technique.

Volume IV – The Three Piano Concertos

• Piano Concerto No. 1, BB 91: Three movements highlighting dramatic contrasts.
• Piano Concerto No. 2, BB 101: A blend of lyrical and virtuosic passages.
• Piano Concerto No. 3, BB 127: Showcases a refined and spirited finale.

For complete track details, the box set booklet provides an exhaustive breakdown of all 80+ tracks.

Publishers & Credits

Label & Release:
Released by Philips (Catalog No. 446 368-2) in 1995.

Key Personnel:

• Art Direction: George Cramer
• Piano Performance: Zoltán Kocsis
• Conductor (Concertos): Ivan Fischer
• Liner Notes Contributors: András Wilheim, François Dupray, Giovanni Bietti, Jürgen Hunkemöller, László Somfai, Pierre-E. Barbier, among others.
• Production & Engineering: A team including Fiona Gale, Jean Van Vugt, Jean-Marie Geijsen, Johan Krommenhoek, and others.
• Orchestra: Budapest Festival Orchestra (on CD 4)

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Hashtags

English:

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Hungarian:

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German:

#Bartok #ZoltanKocsis #Klaviersonate #BartokKonzerte #PhilipsBoxSet #KlassischeMusik #ModerneVolksmusik #20JahrhundertKlassiker #BudapestFestivalOrchester #IvanFischer