Dance Suite / 2 Portraits / Mikrokosmos
Bartók & Philharmonia Hungarica & Antal Doráti
1959
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Recording Info
Recorded June 10 and 11, 1958 in the Grosse Saal, Wiener Konzerthaus, Vienna. Antal Dorati conducted the Philharmonia Hungarica. Harold Lawrence was the producer and musical supervisor. C.R. Fine was the engineer, and Wilma Cozart was the recording supervisor.
Track Highlights
- Dance Suite — A six-movement orchestral work that celebrates the sounds and rhythms of the Eastern European countryside.
- 2 Portraits — Two tone poems reflecting Bartók's personal experiences, with the first movement ("Ideal") derived from his Violin Concerto and the second ("Grotesque") quoting his Bagatelle No. 13.
- Mikrokosmos, Sz. 107, Book 4: No. 117, Bourrée (Orch. Serly) — An excerpt from Bartók's Mikrokosmos, arranged for orchestra by Tibor Serly.
- Mikrokosmos, Sz. 107, Book 6: No. 142, From the Diary of a Fly (Orch. Serly) — An excerpt from Bartók's Mikrokosmos, arranged for orchestra by Tibor Serly.
Personnel
- Béla Bartók (Composer)
- Antal Dorati (Conductor)
- Philharmonia Hungarica (Orchestra)
- Erwin Ramor (Violin)
- C.R. Fine (Engineer)
- Harold Lawrence (Producer [Musical Supervisor])
- Henry Ries (Photography [Cover])
- Wilma Cozart (Recording Supervisor)
- Halsey Stevens (Sleeve Notes)
- George Piros (Transferred By, Lacquer Cut By)
Significance
The album is significant as it showcases Bartók's unique compositional style, which fuses Hungarian folk music with classical traditions. The "Dance Suite," composed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Budapest's unification, is a testament to Bartók's ability to evoke the sounds and rhythms of the Eastern European countryside without directly quoting folk melodies. The "Two Portraits" offer a glimpse into Bartók's personal life, reflecting his infatuation with Stefi Geyer and his subsequent feelings of heartbreak. The album has received generally positive reviews, with an average rating of 4.36/5 on Discogs. It is considered an important recording for those interested in Bartók's music and the fusion of folk and classical elements.
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