Béla Bartók: The Wooden Prince, Op. 13/Hungarian Pictures

On this CD:

1. The Wooden Prince, ballet in one act for orchestra (A fából faragott királyfi), Sz. 60, BB 74 (Op. 13)
Composed by Bela Bartok
Performed by Philharmonia
Conducted by Neeme Jarvi

2. Hungarian Sketches, for orchestra (Magyar képek), Sz. 97, BB 103
Composed by Bela Bartok
Performed by Philharmonia
Conducted by Neeme Jarvi

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
Bartók had two distinct personalities as a composer--one private, the other very much public. The ballet The Wooden Prince (1917) was one of the most public works Bartók wrote and was an immense success. In it, he intentionally merges his own Hungarian/Romanian folk motifs with music from all over Europe. (It's been compared to Stravinsky's The Firebird). And it's a delight. As is Bartók's Hungarian Pictures (1931). These are based on folk- influenced piano sketches Bartók did with the utmost simplicity. In fact, he went out of his way to keep them true to their sources. Very beautiful, very playful. --Paul Cook

Tracks:

The Wooden Prince: Ste, Op.13: Vorspiel-Die Prinzessin
The Wooden Prince: Ste, Op.13: Der Wald
The Wooden Prince: Ste, Op.13: Arbeitslied Der Prinzen
The Wooden Prince: Ste, Op.13: Der Bach
The Wooden Prince: Ste, Op.13: Tanz Des Holzgeschnitzien Prinzen-Nachapiel
Two Portraits, Op.5: I. One Ideal
Two Portraits, Op.5: II. One Grotesque

Tracks:

Music: I. Andante Tranquillo
Music: II. Allegro
Music: III. Adagio
Music: IV. Allegro Molto
Diver: I. Allegro Non Troppo
Diver: II. Molto Adagio
Divert: III. Allegro Assai

Tracks:

Vn Con No.1 (Op. Posth.): I. Andante Sostenuto
Vn Con No.1 (Op. Posth.): II. Allegro Giocoso
Vn Con No.2: I. Allegro Non Troppo
Vn Con No.2: II. Andante Tranquillo
Vn Con No.2: III. Allegro Molto

Tracks:

Romanian Folk Dances: I. The Stick Dance
Romanian Folk Dances: II. Round Dance
Romanian Folk Dances: III. In One Spot
Romanian Folk Dances: IV. The Horn Dance
Romanian Folk Dances: V. Romanian Polka
Romanian Folk Dances: VI. Short And Sweet
Romanian Folk Dances: VII. Short And Sweet
Dance Ste: I. Moderato
Dance Ste: II. Allegro Molto
Dance Ste: III. Allegro Vivace
Dance Ste: IV. Molto Tranquillo
Dance Ste: V. Comodo
Dance Ste: VI. Finale: Allegro
Hungarian Pictures: I. Evening In Transylvania
Hungarian Pictures: II. Bear Dance
Hungarian Pictures: III. Melody
Hungarian Pictures: IV. A Bit Tipsy
Hungarian Pictures: V. Urog Swineherd Dance
Two Pictures: I. In Full Bloom
Two Pictures: II. Village Dance
Romanian Dance: Allegro Vivace

Tracks:

Con: I. Intro: Andante Non Troppo-Allegro
Con: II. Giuoco Delle Coppie: Allegretto Scherzando
Con: III. Elegia: Andante, Non Troppo
Con: IV. Intermezzo Interrotto: Allegretto
Con: V. Finale: Pesante-Presto
The Miraculous Mandarin: Ste

Tracks:

Hary Janos: Ste: Prld/The Fairy/Tale Begins
Hary Janos: Ste: Viennese Musical Clock
Hary Janos: Ste: Song
Hary Janos: Ste: Battle And Defeat Of Napoleon
Hary Janos: Ste: Intermezzo
Hary Janos: Ste: Entrance Of The Emperor And His Court
Dances Of Galanta
Vars On A Hungarian Folksong (The Peacock)

Amazon.com

Some people are frightened by the (mostly) 20th century Hungarian composer Béla Bartók. His colorful orchestration and by turns folksy and angular rhythms and melodies seem to be cut from very exotic cloth. But there's nothing to fear--this six-CD set presents his most popular orchestral music played with authentic flair by the Hungarian State Orchestra: the two violin concerti with the excellent soloist Gerhart Hetzel, the suite from his ballet The Wooden Prince, the Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta, the Concerto for Orchestra, and several other flavorful works. As a bonus, three pieces by his compatriot, Zoltán Kodály are included. A fine introduction to a master composer. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

a very welcome anthology for modest price.......2001-01-06

For many classical music lovers who are not specialists in Hungarian music - and I would count myself among them - this collection of Bartok's orchestral works along with a supplemental Kodaly disc at budget price cannot be too strongly welcomed. The Hungarian State Symphony Orchestra plays with rhythmic finesse and considerable virtuoso skill, and the direction of Adam Fischer is very fine. I will not attempt a comparison between his performances and those of Janos Ferencsik and Arpad Joo among others. The documentation is brief but well written. CD 1 has a playing time of only 39:25, but that should not seriously deter anybody. The tracking and cueing is excellent, as is the digital stereo sound. The reproduction of the painting "Preparing the meal in the wood" by A. Fenyes on the cover is very tasteful. Overall, this is a very satisfying issue.

Bartok and Kodaly in hungarian style.......2000-06-15

This 6 cd box is a very good one if you are looking for a essential Bartok, as a gift you get Kodaly too. Bartok is a master of taking folk songs and translated them to the finest classical music. The quality of recording is very good and we can imagine that the interpretation is accurate since the players are hungarians. There is a tenderness in the orchestra under Mr. Fischer that bring us a light and elegant Bartok instead of a rough one, as we can expect from folkloric music. The Romanian Folk Dances are amazing and you can imagine people dancing in the country. But the best in this collection are the violin concertos. Since I bought this box I listen the concertos many times and it is always a pleasure for soul.

Béla Bartók: The Wooden Prince, Op. 13/Hungarian Pictures

Average customer rating:

Béla Bartók: The Wooden Prince, Op. 13/Hungarian Pictures

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000000ALQ
Release Date: 1992-10-28

Tracks:

The Wooden Prince, Op. 13: Prelude
The Wooden Prince, Op. 13: Dance 1
The Wooden Prince, Op. 13: Dance 2
The Wooden Prince, Op. 13: Dance 3
The Wooden Prince, Op. 13: Dance 4
The Wooden Prince, Op. 13: Dance 5
The Wooden Prince, Op. 13: Dance 6
The Wooden Prince, Op. 13: Dance 7
The Wooden Prince, Op. 13: Postlude
Hungarian Pictures: 1. An Evening In The Village
Hungarian Pictures: 2. Bear Dance
Hungarian Pictures: 3. Melody
Hungarian Pictures: 4. Slightly Tipsy
Hungarian Pictures: 5. Swinehard's Dance

Amazon.com essential recording

Bartók had two distinct personalities as a composer--one private, the other very much public. The ballet The Wooden Prince (1917) was one of the most public works Bartók wrote and was an immense success. In it, he intentionally merges his own Hungarian/Romanian folk motifs with music from all over Europe. (It's been compared to Stravinsky's The Firebird). And it's a delight. As is Bartók's Hungarian Pictures (1931). These are based on folk- influenced piano sketches Bartók did with the utmost simplicity. In fact, he went out of his way to keep them true to their sources. Very beautiful, very playful. --Paul Cook

Music Track:

Music Track

music track

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