Description

The Miraculous Mandarin | Bartók & Kodály – EMI Classics Audio CD

Product Information

Label: EMI Classics – 077775485820
Format: CD, Album, Stereo
Country: Europe
Released: 1993
Genre: Classical
UPC: 077775485820

Overview

English:
"The Miraculous Mandarin" (Hungarian: A csodálatos mandarin; German: Der wunderbare Mandarin) Op. 19, Sz. 73 (BB 82) is a one-act pantomime ballet composed by Béla Bartók between 1918 and 1924, based on a 1916 story by Melchior Lengyel. Premiering on 27 November 1926 at the Cologne Opera under the baton of Eugen Szenkar, it created a scandal and was banned on moral grounds. Over time, Bartók's work was more frequently performed as a concert suite, preserving roughly two-thirds of the original score. This CD also features Bartók’s energetic "Dance Suite For Orchestra" (Sz. 77) and Zoltán Kodály’s captivating "Variations on a Hungarian Folksong 'The Peacock'" – a work inspired by the traditional Hungarian melody. Performed by The London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir under the direction of Franz Welser-Möst, this recording captures the dynamic fusion of theatrical narrative, orchestral innovation, and folk-inspired variation that characterizes these masterpieces.

Note:
The CD showcases three distinct works:

Tracks 1-12: Miraculous Mandarin, Op. 19/Sz. 73 by Béla Bartók
Tracks 13-18: Dance Suite For Orchestra, Sz. 77 by Béla Bartók
Tracks 19-36: Variations on a Hungarian Folksong "The Peacock" by Zoltán Kodály

Product Features

Format & Specifications

Medium: Audio CD (Stereo)
Duration: (Tracks 1-36) – Approximately 90+ minutes total
Audio Quality: PCM Stereo
Picture Format (for packaging): Standard CD case
Additional Details:
- Bartók’s Miraculous Mandarin: A groundbreaking work originally conceived as a ballet that shocked audiences with its bold musical and dramatic narrative.
- Dance Suite: A distilled concert version of the ballet’s music, capturing its energetic and innovative spirit.
- Kodály’s Peacock Variations: A set of variations that reinterprets a traditional Hungarian folksong, reflecting the deep connection between folk traditions and classical composition.

Additional Details

Performance:Recording:
- Choir: The London Philharmonic Choir (featured on Miraculous Mandarin)
- Orchestra: The London Philharmonic Orchestra
- Conductor: Franz Welser-Möst
Recorded live in a studio environment with EMI Classics, ensuring the authentic and vibrant sound of these iconic works.

Track Listing

Tracks 1-12:
Miraculous Mandarin, Op. 19/Sz. 73 by Béla Bartók
Tracks 13-18:
Dance Suite For Orchestra, Sz. 77 by Béla Bartók
Tracks 19-36:
Variations on a Hungarian Folksong "The Peacock" by Zoltán Kodály

Detailed Credits & Production

Composer(s):
- Béla Bartók (for Miraculous Mandarin and Dance Suite)
- Zoltán Kodály (for Peacock Variations)
Performers:Conductor: Franz Welser-Möst
- Choir: The London Philharmonic Choir (appearing on Miraculous Mandarin)
- Orchestra: The London Philharmonic Orchestra
Recording:
Recorded and produced under EMI Classics in 1993.
Technical Specifications:
- PCM Stereo, NTSC format (for packaging information)
- Manufactured in Europe.