Yehudi Menuhin, Antal Dorati, Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra / PG 924 – Audio CD

Product Information

• UPC: 028943435024
• Label/Catalog Number: Mercury – 434 350-2 (Mercury Living Presence – 434 350-2)
• Format: CD, Reissue, Compilation, Remastered
• Country: US
• Release Year: 1995
• Genre: Classical
• Style: Modern
• Total Playing Time: 67:43

Personnel & Credits:

• Composer: Béla Bartók
• Conductor: Antal Dorati (all tracks)
• Violin (Tracks 1–3): Yehudi Menuhin
• Recording Engineer & Technical Supervisor: C. Robert Fine
• Executive Producer (Tracks 4–7): Wilma Cozart
• Recording Directors:Recording Supervisor (Musical Supervisor, Tracks 1–3): Harold Lawrence
  • Wilma Cozart (Tracks 1–3)
  • David Hall (Tracks 4–7)
• Mastered By: Andrew Nicholas
• Liner Notes: Sedgwick Clark
• Orchestra: Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra
• Producer (3-to-2-channel Conversion for CD): Wilma Cozart Fine

Overview

English:
This 1995 remastered reissue from Mercury presents two of Béla Bartók’s most celebrated works for orchestra—Violin Concerto No.2 and the Second Suite (Revised 1943 Version)—performed by the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra. Led by the esteemed conductor Antal Dorati and featuring a sublime solo performance by Yehudi Menuhin on the violin (on the concerto tracks), this CD captures the modern spirit and refined complexities of Bartók’s music. Remastered with exceptional clarity by engineer C. Robert Fine and produced to meet the high standards of Mercury Living Presence sound, this release offers both longtime collectors and new listeners an immersive classical experience.

Bartók, one of the century’s foremost composers and ethnomusicologists, fused folk influences with modernist innovations. His Violin Concerto No.2 unfolds in three movements that trace an expressive narrative, while the Second Suite reveals a sharpened, revised approach from 1943 with four dynamically structured movements—all delivered with impressive precision by the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra.

Product Features

Audio & Production Details

• Remastered Sound:
  This release benefits from high-quality remastering techniques—capturing every dynamic nuance and detail inherent in Bartók’s compositions.
• Compilation & Reissue:
  Presented as a curated compilation, the CD features the complete work of Violin Concerto No.2 alongside the Second Suite (Revised 1943 Version), making it an essential document for classical music libraries.
• Mercury Living Presence:
  The renowned fidelity and clarity of Mercury’s signature sound are evident throughout the recording.
• Production Team:
  With oversight by renowned professionals such as Executive Producer Wilma Cozart and Mastering Engineer Andrew Nicholas, this release meets the highest industry standards.

Musical & Educational Value

• Illuminating Bartók’s Innovation:
  The album provides insight into Bartók’s innovative synthesis of folk elements with modern orchestration. Listeners are treated to a layered musical narrative reflecting the composer's distinctive use of rhythm, harmony, and form.
• Historic Collaboration:
  Featuring the legendary Yehudi Menuhin and the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra under Antal Dorati’s direction, the collaboration emphasizes Bartók’s enduring influence on both soloists and orchestral ensembles.
• Track Diversity:
  The expansive program showcases contrasting tempos and moods—from the vigorous Allegro Ma Non Troppo to serene Andante passages—ideal for both analytical study and immersive listening.

Track Listing

Violin Concerto No.2 (Tracks 1–3)

1. Allegro Ma Non Troppo – 15:30
2. Andante Tranquillo – 9:08
3. Allegro Molto – 11:08

Second Suite (Revised 1943 Version) (Tracks 4–7)

1. Comodo – 7:58
2. Allegro Scherzando – 8:25
3. Andante – 7:47
4. Comodo – 7:44

Interesting Facts

English:

• Bartók’s Dual Legacy:
  Recognized as one of the greatest composers of the 20th century, Béla Bartók infused traditional folk melodies into contemporary orchestral frameworks—a practice showcased beautifully on these recordings.
• Iconic Collaborations:
  Yehudi Menuhin’s distinctive violin sound, combined with Antal Dorati’s masterful conducting, makes this release a benchmark in Bartók performance history.
• Digital Restoration Excellence:
  With a dedicated technical team led by C. Robert Fine and Wilma Cozart Fine, this remastered edition offers pristine auditory details that bring out the vibrant textures of Bartók’s orchestrations.

Publishers

This release is issued by Mercury under the Mercury Living Presence series and serves as a vital reissue for classical music enthusiasts, scholars, and collectors. The meticulously remastered audio along with comprehensive liner notes by Sedgwick Clark establishes this CD as a key reference point in Bartók’s recorded legacy.

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Hashtags

English:

#BartokViolinConcerto2 #SecondSuiteBartok #YehudiMenuhin #AntalDorati #MinneapolisSymphony #MercuryLivingPresence #Bartok #ClassicalReissue #ModernClassical #20thCenturyMusic