Improvisations on Folk Songs

On this CD:

1. Improvisation on "Horch, was kommt von draußen rein" for organ
Composed by Franz Lehrndorfer
Performed by Franz Lehrndorfer

2. Improvisation on "Die güldene Sonne" for organ
Composed by Franz Lehrndorfer
Performed by Franz Lehrndorfer

3. Improvisation on "Summ, Bienchen, summ herum" for organ
Composed by Franz Lehrndorfer
Performed by Franz Lehrndorfer

4. Improvisation on "Es klappert die Mühle" for organ
Composed by Franz Lehrndorfer
Performed by Franz Lehrndorfer

5. Improvisation on "Alle Vögel sind schon da" for organ
Composed by Franz Lehrndorfer
Performed by Franz Lehrndorfer

6. Improvisation on "Die Blümelein, sie schlafen" for organ
Composed by Franz Lehrndorfer
Performed by Franz Lehrndorfer

7. Improvisation on "Hänschen klein" for organ
Composed by Franz Lehrndorfer
Performed by Franz Lehrndorfer

8. Improvisation on "Muß i denn zum Städtele hinaus" for organ
Composed by Franz Lehrndorfer
Performed by Franz Lehrndorfer

Amazon.com

Sàndor, still active at 90 as this reissue appears, was a student of Bartók and a preferred interpreter of his music. Since this set appeared on nine LPs in the early 1960s, it has been the standard for Bartók's piano music; in this fine-sounding reissue, it still is. Sàndor can hit hard enough for such virtuoso pieces as the Piano Sonata and "Out of Doors," but he also retains the romantic element heard in the composer's own playing which tempers the harsher qualities of the music. While this collection isn't quite as complete as advertised (some early, insignificant piano music by Bartók is omitted), it includes all of Bartók's significant piano music, including such relatively obscure gems as the Bagatelles, eight Improvisations, and many delectable folk arrangements which will appeal even to listeners who think Bartók is too challenging for them. Vox's recorded sound, superbly remastered, resists obsolescence as effectively as Sàndor's performances. Even with the inclusion of the early books of "Mikrokosmos," which will appeal mostly to piano students, this set is worth several times the asking price. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Microcosmos.......2007-03-08

Sándor was a champion not only of Bartók's music but also of Bartók's style of playing. He often complained that people were too quick to see Bartók as ultra-modern, and to fail to appreciate the rich seam of lyricism that also runs through his music.

The piano music is dominated by short pieces, many of them written for piano students, notably the collections "Microcosmos" and "For Children". These, together with suites of folk dance arrangements, make up the bulk of the solo piano output.

Sandór plays these short, and often simple pieces, with neither too much nor too little art. As a gifted teacher, he knew unerringly how much music each of these small vessels held. The result is beguiling - but be warned: no-one can listen to the 153 short pieces of Microcosmos end-to-end. This is an anthology to be dipped into, not swallowed whole.

The remastering is pretty successful (fortunately - some of Vox's CD reissues are plagued by severe deterioration of the original tapes). And it's for half nothing-what's not to like?

Great value with a few flaws.......2006-07-28

I am not a Bartok expert by any scale, but I do like the way these pieces, without exception, are played. There are, however, a couple of other problems.

As mentioned by an earlier reviewer, very few of the works are split into tracks - Mikrokosmos is divided into 7 for each of its six volumes, and to accomodate for a full CD. In these seven tracks there are 121 songs. I would have much preferred if the songs had been split into tracks. Almost the entire CD set is this way - Fifteen Hungarian Songs is one track, Fourteen Bagatelles, etc. It is very annoying when one wants to hear a particular song in those tracks and not the others.

Another detriment to the collection is the recording quality. It is decent most of the time, but in loud sections the piano buzzes. One might be able to ignore it, but I think that it detracts from the passion of the forte quite a bit.

Overall, for $18 it is pretty decent, but if you are like me and like to keep your music library neatly organized (and aren't extremely cheap), I would not recommend this set.

eeh, I guess I don't like Bartok that much.......2006-07-25

I like the fact that Bartok is into the folk tradition and all, but he just tends to forget the fact that melody has to be SOMEWHERE in the music. I'm all for creative expression when you're sitting alone at the piano, but abstract music should be reserved for performance art. I like playing some of your stuff Bela, but I just don't want to listen to you.

Best classical value out there.......2005-10-05

To put this set in perspective, for months I would go to my local Tower Records fishing for worthwhile classical CDs at least once a week. One of the discs that sat in the bins the longest was a single CD of Bartok piano music, played by Zoltan Kocsis. It was Volume 7 of a complete series. This CD listed for $17.99, and as long as I went to that Tower Records, it did not budge an inch, nor was its price amended.

Now, Kocsis is one of the greatest pianists alive, and if anyone is worthy of commanding a premium, it is him. And to be fair, that CD is going to be re-released on October 11 as part of a Collector's Edition - eight CDs, $63.97 MSRP. But it's already going up against this little gem, which contains five CDs with all of the truly great solo-piano works by an internationally recognized Bartok specialist for $21 - not much more than the cost of one CD from the other set. This kind of value is not to be taken lightly.

I came to this set with my impression of Sandor informed by his complete Prokofiev - ultra-hard, sometimes rhythmically slack, always melodically lacking in some way or another. But he held a very special feeling for Bartok, and saved his best playing for the great Hungarian. In passages like the first of the Three Csik Dances, the opening of the Improvisations Op. 20, or in the Ten Easy Pieces, there is a simplicity, charm and wistful homesickness that is quite touching. In pieces like the Out of Doors suite, the Sonata, or the Burlesques, there is a vicious, impulsive energy, a wicked sense of humor and an overabundance of overtones. It is never mindless, inappropriate or even overly harsh - it's just very, very loud.

In this set I like best the endless landscape of the Sonatina, the unusual colors and fragrances in the Etudes, the brilliantly conceived Bear Dance (the last of the Ten Easy Pieces), and the multifaceted, complex, gorgeous Improvisations. Any fan of Bartok should hear these.

5 Stars for the music and performance.......2005-04-04

This is a fantastic deal, but the problem with this Collection stems from the fact that the pieces are often not separated by tracks. This is especially annoying for the Children's Pieces and Mikrokosmos. There are so many pieces, one wears out the fast forward button and still may miss the particular piece one is looking for. The booklet is fairly insightful, and the performer is widely hailed as the supreme interpreter of Bartok's piano music. So aside from this slightly annoying at times and ridiculously annoying at other times flaw, this is one of the best deals in Classical music. Don't hesitate. Add it to the cart.

Average customer rating:

Masterful interpretation of Bartok's piano works

Zoltán Kocsis plays Bartók

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Improvisation | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Debussy: Solo Piano Music; Fantaisie; Ravel: Piano Concertos
Works for Solo Piano
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Historic Russian Archives Emil Gilels Edition [Box Set]
Plays Schubert

ASIN: B0009A41VA
Release Date: 2005-10-11

Customer Reviews:

Masterful interpretation of Bartok's piano works.......2005-10-21

Without a doubt Bartok is one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. Combining a deep understanding of the possibilities of eastern European folk music - particularly Hungarian and Romanian - with an extremely advanced harmonic and rhythmic vocabulary, Bartok composed some of the greatest works of the last century.

Although Bartok wrote some sublime orchestral music (The Music for strings, percussion and celeste comes instantly to mind), it is in the realms of string quartet and solo piano music that Bartok reigns supreme among 20th century composers in the humble opinion of this reviewer.

So. Here is an 8 CD set of all of Bartok's solo piano music by (argueably) the pre-eminent interpreter of his piano music. These are insightful, passionate performances beautifully recorded.

I for one am thrilled to have this set - particularly since many of these CDs were unavailable up till now. The box is also very reasonably priced compared to the separate CDs.

Highly recommended - modern music begins here.

Average customer rating:

A fascinating glimpse into Barokian style
Bela Bartok, The pianist.

Bartók Plays Bartók

Manufacturer: Pearl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Improvisation | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Airs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Claude Debussy: The Composer as Pianist
Bartok: Complete Solo Piano Music
Maurice Ravel: The Composer as Pianist and Conductor
Prokofiev Plays Prokofiev
The Composer as Pianist

ASIN: B000000WPP
Release Date: 1995-11-14

Tracks:

Ste, Op.14 Allegretto: Scherzo: Allegro Molto: Sostenuto
Two Rumanian Dances Op.8a: No.1, Allegro Vivace
10 Easy Pieces: No.5, Evening In Transylvania; No.10: Bear Dance
Allegro Barbaro
14 Bagatelles Op.6 No.2: Allegro Giocoso; 3 Burlesques Op.8c: No.2, A Bit Drunk
9 Little Piano Pieces: No.6, Air, No.8, Tambourne, Petite Ste; V, Bagpipes
3 Rondos On Folk Melodies: No.1, Andante
15 Hungarian Peasant Songs: Nos. 7-10, 12, 14, 15 (Old Dance Tunes)
Sursum Corda No.7 From Annees De Pelerinage, Book 3
Mikrokosmos: No.124: Staccato; No.146: Ostinato
Petite Ste Ia. Slow Melody: , Ib. Walachian Dance; II. Whirling Dance; III. Quasi Pizzicato...
9 Little Piano Pieces: No.9, Prld All'ungherese
3 Rondos On Folk Tunes: No.1, Andante; 14 Bagatelles: No.2, Allegro Giocoso
3 Rondos On Folk Melodies: No.1, Andante
15 Hungarian Peasant Songs: Nos.7-10, 12, 14, 15; Old Dance Tunes
Annees De Peleringe, Book III: No.7 Sursum Corda - Bela Bartok/Ditta Pasztory-Bartok
Mikrokosmos: No.124: Staccato
Mikrokosmos: No.146: Ostinato
Petite Ste: Ia. Slow Melody
Petite Ste: Ib. Walachian Dance
Petite Ste: II. Whirling Dance
Petite Ste: III. Quasi Pizzicato
Petite Ste: IV. Ukrainian Song
Petite Ste: V. Bagpipes
9 Little Pno Pieces: No.9: Prld-All'ungherese
3 Rondos On Folk Melodies: No.1, Andante
14 Bagatelles: No.2, Allegro Giocoso
Improvisions On Hungarian Peasant Songs: No.1, Molto Moderato
Improvisions On Hungarian Peasant Songs: No.2, Molto Capriccioso
Improvisions On Hungarian Peasant Songs: No.6, Allegro Moderato, Molto Capriccioso
Improvisions On Hungarian Peasant Songs: No.7, Sostenuto, Rubato
Improvisions On Hungarian Peasant Songs: No.8, Allegro
3 Hungarian Folk Tunes: No.1
3 Hungarian Folk Tunes: No.2
3 Hungarian Folk Tunes: No.3
7 Pieces From Mikrokosmos: I. Chord And Trill Study
7 Pieces From Mikrokosmos: II. New Hungarian Folk Song
7 Pieces From Mikrokosmos: III. Chromatic Invention

Customer Reviews:

A fascinating glimpse into Barokian style.......2007-04-20

I will be brief. These recordings, made between the late 1920s and 1940, are technically deficient in showing Bartok's fabled tone (though a little of it comes through) but musically fascinating in showing how much more lyrical and gentle his playing of his own music was than that of most pianists today. Based on this evidence, then, pianists like Annie Fischer are much closer to Bartok's musical concept than Gyorgy Lehel or many of the others who have recorded his concerti in recent decades. A major resource for students of Bartok's music. (Only four stars given because of the scratchy discs and boxy sound, not because of intrinsic musical value.)

Bela Bartok, The pianist........2007-03-15

Hungarian composer Bela Bartok (born in Romania) was an innovative composer in his day and along with Gyorgy Ligeti is highly regarded as one of the greatest composers to come out of Hungary in the 20th century.
While a majority of Bartok's works are timeless classics in modern Classical repertoire, recordings are Bartok performing his own music are extremely rare to find these days. This is what makes the "Bartok Plays Bartok" disc from Pearl Records such a treat to listen to.
The recordings on this disc date from between 1929 and 1941 and display Bartok's gifts as a solid pianist in their fullest. His pianistic attack and full command of the instrument comes through in every piece included here.
Standouts include the opening piano "Suite", Bartok's own rendition of his famous "Allegro Barbaro" and the "Petite Suite". The 2-piano arrangement of three of Bartok's "Mikrokosmos" pieces is also a standout and features Bartok's wife Ditta as second pianist.
Indeed, there is plenty of history and lessons heard in these historic performances. For a pianist studying on how Bartok's music ought to be played, "Bartok Plays Bartok" is an ideal CD to have. We get to hear a master composer prove himself to be a master pianist.
Definitely a must have for any Bartok fan.

Tiszta forrás (Pure Springs): Hungarian Folk Tunes and Their Arrangements in Works by Bartók and Kodály

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Tiszta forrás (Pure Springs): Hungarian Folk Tunes and Their Arrangements in Works by Bartók and Kodály

Manufacturer: Hungaroton
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Kodaly: Hungarian Folk Music; Bartok: Hungarian Folksongs Sz64
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ASIN: B00007138S
Release Date: 2002-10-29

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Grieg: Piano Music, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Improvisation | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

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Grieg: Piano Music, Vol. 11
Grieg: Piano Music, Vol. 3
Grieg: Piano Music, Vol. 10
Grieg: Piano Music, Vol. 14
Grieg: Piano Music, Vol. 1

ASIN: B0000013ZZ
Release Date: 1995-10-24

Tracks:

Allegretto Con Moto. Allegro
Andante. Animate. PResto Leggiero. Tempo I
Melodies of Norway, EG 108: A Ballad to Saint Olaf
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.1
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.2
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.3
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.4
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.5
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.6
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.7
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.8
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.9
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.10
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.11
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.12
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.13
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.14
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.15
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.16
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.17
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.18
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.19
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.20
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.21
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.22
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.23
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.24
25 Norwegian Folk-Songs and Dances, Op. 17: No.25
The First Meeting, Op. 52, No. 2 (Song Transcription)
19 Norwegian Folk-Songs, Op. 66: No.1
19 Norwegian Folk-Songs, Op. 66: No.2
19 Norwegian Folk-Songs, Op. 66: No.3
19 Norwegian Folk-Songs, Op. 66: No.4
19 Norwegian Folk-Songs, Op. 66: No.5
19 Norwegian Folk-Songs, Op. 66: No.6
19 Norwegian Folk-Songs, Op. 66: No.7
19 Norwegian Folk-Songs, Op. 66: No.8
19 Norwegian Folk-Songs, Op. 66: No.9
19 Norwegian Folk-Songs, Op. 66: No.10
19 Norwegian Folk-Songs, Op. 66: No.11
19 Norwegian Folk-Songs, Op. 66: No.12
19 Norwegian Folk-Songs, Op. 66: No.13
19 Norwegian Folk-Songs, Op. 66: No.14
19 Norwegian Folk-Songs, Op. 66: No.15
19 Norwegian Folk-Songs, Op. 66: No.16
19 Norwegian Folk-Songs, Op. 66: No.17
19 Norwegian Folk-Songs, Op. 66: No.18
19 Norwegian Folk-Songs, Op. 66: No.19 (Gjendine's Lullaby)

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Bartók: Piano Music, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005UO8I
Release Date: 2002-02-19

Tracks:

I. Moderato
II. Allegro Molto
III. Allegro Vivace
IV. Molto Tranquillo
V. Comodo
Finale: Allegro
Slovakian Dance
I. Molto Moderato
II. Molto Capriccioso
III. Lento, Rubato
IV. Allegretto Scherzando
V. Allegro Molto
VI. Allegro Moderato, Molto Capriccioso
VII. Sostenuto, Rubato
VIII. Allegro
Slow Tune
Wallachian Dance
Whirling Dance
Quasi Pizzicato
Ruthenian Dance
Bagpipes
1. Bot Tanc/Jocul Cu Bata
2. Braul
3. Topogo/Pe Loc
4. Bucsumi Tanc/Buciumeana
5. Roman Polka/Poarga Romaneasca
6. Aprozo/Maruntel
Bagpipers: Molto Moderato
Bear Dance: Moderato
Finale: Allegro Vivace
I. Series
II. Series

Amazon.com

Zoltan Kocsis on Philips is still the gold standard in Bartók's piano works, but Jenö Jandó's ongoing series for Naxos is an attractive proposition for anyone who wants to become familiar with the music through idiomatic performances at budget prices. In this second volume of the series, dance and dance-derived works are center stage, and Jandó plays with rhythmic drive, though he never allows the music's melodic charms to get lost in folk-based floor-stomping. His tone is never hard, and he captures the hushed stillness at the heart of the fourth movement of the Dance Suite, a wonderful work better known in its orchestral version. Bartók's genius transformed simple folk melodies into sophisticated art without losing their essence. A major breakthrough work in that regard is the Improvisations, whose eight movements are small miracles of adventurous keyboard writing. But then, everything on this disc is worth exploring. --Dan Davis

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Béla Bartók: Pieces For Piano

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000025YPS
Release Date: 1993-11-30

Tracks:

Danses Populaires Roumaines: Danse Du Baton/Danse De La Ceinture/Trepigneuse/Danse De Ceux De...
Ste Op.14: Allegretto
Ste Op.14: Scherzo
Ste Op.14: Allegro Molto/Sostenuto
Improvisations Sur Des Chants Paysans Hongrois, Op. 20: Molto Moderato
Improvisations Sur Des Chants Paysans Hongrois, Op. 20: Molto Capriccioso
Improvisations Sur Des Chants Paysans Hongrois, Op. 20: Lento Rubato
Improvisations Sur Des Chants Paysans Hongrois, Op. 20: Allegretto Scherzando/Allegro Molto
Improvisations Sur Des Chants Paysans Hongrois, Op. 20: Allegro Moderato, Molto Capriccioso
Improvisations Sur Des Chants Paysans Hongrois, Op. 20: Sostenuto Rubato
Improvisations Sur Des Chants Paysans Hongrois, Op. 20: Allegro
En Plein Air: Avec Tambours Et Fifres
En Plein Air: Barcarolle
En Plein Air: Musettes
En Plein Air: Sons De La Nuit
En Plein Air: Poursuite
Son: Allegro Moderato
Son: Sostenuto E Pesante
Son: Allegro Molto