Bartók: 44 Duos for Two Violins; String Quartets 1 & 2

On this CD:

1. Duos (44), for 2 violins, Volumes 1-4, Sz. 98, BB 104
Composed by Bela Bartok
Performed by Alberto Lysy, Sandor Vegh

2. String Quartet, No. 1 in A Minor, Sz. 40, BB 52 (Op. 7)
Composed by Bela Bartok

3. String Quartet, No. 2 in A minor, Sz. 67, BB 75 (Op. 17)
Composed by Bela Bartok

Tracks:

I. Lento
II (Allegretto)
Introduzione - III Allegro Vivace
Prima Parte: Moderato
Seconda Parte: Allegro
Ricapitulazione Della Prima Parte: Moderato - Coda: Allegro Molto
26 Teasing Song
27 Limping Dance
28 Sorrow
29 New Year's Greeting
30 New Year's Greeting
31 New Year's Greeting
32 Dance From Maramaros
33 Harvest Song
34 Counting Song
35 Ruthenian Kilomejka
36a Bagpipes

Tracks:

I Allegro
II Prestissimo, Con Sordino
III Non Troppo Lento
IV Allegretto Pizzicato
V Allegro Molto
1 Pair Song
2. Round Dance
3. Menuetto
4 Midsummer Night Song
5 Slovak Song No. 1
6 Hungarian Song No. 1
7 Walachian Song
8 Slovak Song No. 2
9 Play Song
10 Ruthenian Song
11 Cradle Song
12 Haymaking Song
13 Wedding Song
14 Pillow Dance
I Mesto: Vivace
II Mesto: Marcia
III Mesto: Burletta
IV Mesto: Piu Andante

Bartók: 44 Duos for Two Violins; String Quartets 1 & 2

Average customer rating:

Bartok, the minimalist

Bartók: 44 Duos for Two Violins; String Quartets 1 & 2

Manufacturer: Valois
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000067FFZ
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Customer Reviews:

Bartok, the minimalist.......2004-09-03

It was a delight getting reacquainted with the 44 Duos for two violins, a set of delightful miniatures, most of which are only 30 seconds to a minute long. Given one of the inherent problems -- how to maintain musical interest using only two instruments with the same timbre -- Bartok solved it magnificently. These little gems pack in a great deal of contrapuntal and rhythmic interest, but nevertheless are still playable by mid-level or even beginning violinists.

But Alberto Lysy and Sandor Vegh are no "beginning violinists," and it is marvelous to hear experts give these pieces the royal treatment. One can almost listen to all 44 straight through, which is quite surprising. (You'd think the sound would wear on the ear, but I didn't find this the case.) Lysy and Vegh dig into these studies with gusto, emphasizing their robust folk origins, and the results have power and more than a little humor. Other musicians might approach these with more lyricism, but the slight rawness here seems like the way to go.

The two quartets are almost a bonus, but the Vegh Quartet is much admired in these. (Seek out the comments on their complete set of all six quartets.) The sound quality (on Naive) is good -- perhaps slightly dry and close-up, but it works with the material.

To date, this is the only recording of the Duos I've heard, and although I'd be delighted to explore others, this CD has given me much pleasure.

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