Bartók: Hungarian Pictures

Informatie

'Bartók used five miniatures that are simple but all the more arresting, the first two of which in particular - 'Evening in Transylvania' and 'Bear Dance,' from 'Ten Easy Piano Pieces' (1908) - he often and willingly played at his piano recitals. The suite continues with the second number of 'Four Dirges' (c. 1909-10). Its main theme, the eponymous 'Melody' is first played unaccompanied. In the fourth movement, 'Slightly Tipsy' - the second piece in 'Three Burlesques' (1908-11) - the continuous fluctuation of tempo and the sporadic snippets of a sentimental melody evoke with jovial/parodistic intent the stagger and roaring song of a drunken person. Rounding off the suite is the 'Swineherd's Dance' from the second booklet of the series 'For Children' (1908-09). The complete work was first performed on 26 November 1934 in Budapest, with Heinrich Laber conducting the Orchestra of the Budapest Philharmonic Society.'