Bartók: The Orchestral Masterpieces [IMPORT]

Bela Bartok (Composer), Georg Solti (Conductor), Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra)

Product Details

• Orchestra: Chicago Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Georg Solti
• Composer: Bela Bartok
• Audio CD (May 31, 2002)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Decca Import
• ASIN: B000068Q5U
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #95,333 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Concerto for Orchestra, Sz. 116, BB 127: 1. Introduzione

2. Concerto for Orchestra, Sz. 116, BB 127: 2. Giuoco delle coppie

3. Concerto for Orchestra, Sz. 116, BB 127: 3. Elegia

4. Concerto for Orchestra, Sz. 116, BB 127: 4. Intermezzo interrotto

5. Concerto for Orchestra, Sz. 116, BB 127: 5. Finale

6. Dance Suite (Táncszvit) for orchestra, Sz. 77, BB 86a: 1. Moderato

7. Dance Suite (Táncszvit) for orchestra, Sz. 77, BB 86a: 2. Allegro molto

8. Dance Suite (Táncszvit) for orchestra, Sz. 77, BB 86a: 3. Allegro vivace

9. Dance Suite (Táncszvit) for orchestra, Sz. 77, BB 86a: 4. Molto tranquillo

10. Dance Suite (Táncszvit) for orchestra, Sz. 77, BB 86a: 5. Comodo

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta, Sz. 106, BB 114: 1. Andante tranquillo

2. Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta, Sz. 106, BB 114: 2. Allegro

3. Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta, Sz. 106, BB 114: 3. Adagio

4. Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta, Sz. 106, BB 114: 4. Finale: Allegro molto

5. Divertimento for string orchestra, Sz. 113, BB 118: 1. Allegro non troppo

6. Divertimento for string orchestra, Sz. 113, BB 118: 2. Molto adagio

7. Divertimento for string orchestra, Sz. 113, BB 118: 3. Allegro assai

8. The Miraculous Mandarin, suite for orchestra, Sz. 73a, BB 82 (Op. 19)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This Decca Double Decker release offers world class performances and recordings of Bela Bartok's most famous orchestral works. Having received Grammy awards many times for his Bartok recordings (some of which have been reincarnated and are reissued here), George Solti is recognized as one of the composers foremost interpreters. The Chicago Symphony sounds as mighty and intensely responsive as ever; and Decca's sonics are simply spectacular with remarkable clarity and depth. This is Bartok for the ages.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Exciting!, September 5, 2005

By	Wayne D. Shen (Tucson, AZ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've heard a few different recordings of both the Concerto for Orchestra and Dance Suite by Bartok (and I've also played both of them in an orchestra.) In my opinion, this particular recording, while not the greatest ever, stands out from others because of the intense vigor which is always present, whether simmering beneath the mysterious opening melodies of the Concerto for Orchestra, or the gargantuan glissandos in the Dance Suite. Solti, like Bartok, was Hungarian (and he actually studied piano under him at the Budapest conservatory [which I was fortunate to visit this past summer],) so I think he captures the rustic flavor of the pieces very well, instead of just glossing over the less pretty aspects of the pieces as some orchestras are wont to do. All in all, a record that definitely has you dancing in some places, and staring into space in awe of eternity in others. Part of that is Bartok, and part of it is Solti.
If you haven't heard the Concerto for Orchestra, it's one of the masterpieces of Contemporary Classical music. It's nigh near impossible to describe music in words, so just give it a listen. If you've heard it before, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by this presentation.