Bartók at the Piano CD / Béla Bartók Piano Programme Notes in English / Indispensable collection for anyone who appreciates classical music and Bartók's work

• CDs: 6 / Tracks: 84 
• Total Length: 6:24:13 
• HCD 12326-31 Hungaroton
• UPC 5991811232627
• Made in Hungary
• ADD 1991 Hungaroton 1998

• Notes in English
• Presentation en francais
• Deutsche Notizen
• Magyar nyelvű ismertetővel

Summary: 

Bartók at the Piano is an exceptional collection of Béla Bartók's finest piano works, featuring six CDs with a total of 84 tracks. This collection is a must-have for classical piano enthusiasts and fans of Bartók's work, as it includes some of his most famous compositions such as "Mikrokosmos" and "Out of Doors."

This CD set also features detailed programme notes in English, providing listeners with a deeper understanding of Bartók's work and his impact on the world of classical music. The programme notes cover everything from Bartók's personal background to the inspiration behind his compositions, making this CD set not only a wonderful listening experience but also an educational resource.

The CDs are of exceptional sound quality, featuring recordings made in 1991 by Hungaroton and remastered in 1998. The tracks are carefully selected and arranged to showcase Bartók's unique style and technique, from the haunting melodies of "Romanian Folk Dances" to the intricate harmonies of "Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion."

The HCD 12326-31 Hungaroton CD collection is made in Hungary, reflecting the influence of Bartók's Hungarian heritage on his work. The CDs are also UPC coded, making it easy for buyers to purchase and play them on any CD player in the world.

Bartók at the Piano is an indispensable collection for anyone who appreciates classical piano music and the work of Béla Bartók. With over six hours of music, this CD set is an incredible journey into the world of one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the wonderful sounds of Bartók at the Piano.

A kiadvany alapja a Bartok Hanfelvetelei Centenariumi Osszkiadas cimu gyujtemeny I. albuma (Hungaroton LPX 12326-33).

THIS COMPILATION IS BASED ON THE Centenary Edition of Bartok's Records (Complete). For detailed discography and the unabridged text of the essay see the booklet with Album I (Hungaroton LPX 12326-33)

• BELA BARTOK    zongora / piano
• Vilma Medgyaszay    szopran / soprano
• Maria Basilides     alt / contralto
• Ferenc Szekelyhidy      tenor
• Joseph Szigeti       hegedu / violin
• Benny Goodman       klarinet / clarinet
• Ditta Bartok Pasztory     zongora / piano
• Harry J. Baker, Edward J. Rubsan     utohangszerek / percussion

Béla Bartók was one of the major pianists of the 20th century, something forgotten by many music lovers, who think of him only as a composer. The power, clarity, and concentration of his playing are mesmerizing even across the barriers of years and antique sound. All of Bartók's 78s are here, along with some live performances including the breathtaking 1940 recital with violinist Joseph Szigeti. This set will have the most appeal to those who want to hear the composer's ideas about performing his music. But any lovers of great pianism may find it worth investigating. The recordings are all well transferred. -- Leslie Gerber

• Eredeti hanglemezek - Gramophone records

• Gépzongora felvételek - Piano rolls

• Koncertfelvételek - Live recordings

• Szerkesztette / Edited by: Somfai László, Kocsis Zoltán

CD 1

Béla Bartók (1881-1945)
1. 10 Easy Pieces. Evening In Transylvania - Ballade
2. Old Dance Tunes
3. Sonatina, BB 69
4. Romanian Folk Dances, BB 68
5. 10 Easy Pieces. Evening In Transylvania - Bear Dance
6. 2 Romanian Dances, Op. 8a, BB 56: No. 1. Allegro vivace
7. 14 Bagatelles, Op. 6, BB 50: No. 2. Allegro giocoso
8. Allegro barbaro, BB 63
Suite Op. 14, BB 70
9. I. Allegretto
10. II. Scherzo
11. III. Allegro molto - IV. Sostenuto
Suite Op. 14, BB 70 (test recording)
12. I. Allegretto
13. II. Scherzo
14. III. Allegro molto - IV. Sostenuto

Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757)
15. Keyboard Sonata in G major, K.427/L.286/P.286 - Keyboard Sonata in A major, K.212/L.135/P.155
16. Keyboard Sonata in A major, K.537/L.293/P.541 - Keyboard Sonata in B flat major, K.70/L.50/P.21

Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
17. Annees de Pelerinage, 3rd year, S163: No. 7. Sursum corda

Béla Bartók
18. 15 Hungarian Peasant Songs, BB 79. Old Dance Tunes
19. 3 Rondos on Slovak Folktunes, BB 92: No. 1. Andante
20. 9 Little Piano Pieces, BB 90. Air - Tambourine - Bagpipes
Béla Bartók, piano

CD 2

Zoltan Kodály (1882-1967)
Hungarian Folk Music
1. No. 1. Monar Anna (Annie Miller)
2. No. 6. Harom arva (The three orphans)
3. No. 7. Kitrakotty mese (Cockricoo!)
4. No. 8. A rossz feleseg (The heartless wife)
5. No. 9. Szomoru fuzfanak (The weeping-willow)
6. No. 11. Elkialtom … (Far across the village) - No. 10. Egy nagyoru … (Long-nose)
7. No. 12. Kocsi … (Wheelbarrow ) - No. 16. Asszony, asszony … (Woman, woman, out of your bed)
8. No. 15. Akkor szep az erdo (Lovely is the forest)
9. No. 13. Meghalok … (Woe is me) - No. 30. Szolohegyen … (Kitty and Johnny)
10. No. 41. Kortefa (The pear tree Of Gyongyo) - No. 14 Viragos … (All the hemp)
11. No. 18. Kadar kata (Katie Kadar)
12. No. 19. A noverek (The sisters)
13. No. 20. Tucsoklakodalom (The cricket's wedding)
14. No. 21. Zold erdoben (In the forest)
15. No. 23. Most jottem … (I have but just arrived ) - No. 24 Ciganynota (Gipsy song)
16. No. 32. Katona vagyok en (Called to serve my country)
17. No. 39. Megegett Racorszag (All our homes)- No. 33. Arrol alul (Over yonder)
18. No. 37. Kadar Istvan balladaja (Stephen Kadar's ballade)
19. No. 40. Labanc gunydal a kurucra Labanc (Labantz mocking kurutz)
20. No. 42. Rakoczi kesergoje (Rakoczi's Lament)
Béla Bartók, piano
vocals by Maria Basilides, Vilma Medgyaszay, Ferenc Szekelyhidy

CD 3

Béla Bartók
5 Hungarian Folk Tunes, BB 97
1. No. 1 Far Behind I Left My Country, No. 2 Crossing The River, No. 3 In The Summer Fields
2. No. 4 The Horseman, No. 5 Walking Through The Town
8 Hungarian Folksongs, BB 47
3. No. 1 Snow-White Kerchief, No. 3 Women, Women, Listen
4. No. 2 Coldly Runs The River, No. 5 If I Climb The Rocky Mountains
5. No. 6 All The Lads To War, No. 7 Spring Begins With Labour, No. 8 Snow Is Melting
6. Hungarian Folk Tunes (arr. for violin and piano)
7. Romanian Folk Dances, BB 68 (arr. for violin and piano)
Rhapsody No. 1, BB 94a
8. Part I: Lassu
9. Part II: Friss
Contrasts, BB 116
10. I. Verbunkos (Recruiting dance)
11. II. Piheno (Relaxation)
12. III. Sebes (Fast dance)
Béla Bartók, piano
vocals by Maria Basilides, Vilma Medgyaszay, Ferenc Szekelyhidy
Joseph Szigeti, violin

CD 4

Béla Bartók
Mikrokosmos, BB 105 (excerpts)
1. Vol. 5: No. 124. Staccato – Vol. 6: No. 146. Ostinato
2. Vol. 4: No. 113. Bulgarian Rhythm 1 – Vol. 5: No. 129. Alternating Thirds – Vol. 5: No. 131. Fourths – Vol. 5: No. 128. Peasant Dance
3. Vol. 4: No. 120. Fifth Chords – Vol. 4: No. 109. From the Island of Bali – Vol. 5: No. 138. Bagpipe
4. Vol. 4: No. 100. In the Style of a Folksong – Vol. 6: No. 142. From the Diary of a Fly – Vol. 6: No. 140. Free Variations
5. Vol. 5: No. 133. Syncopation – Vol. 6: Six Dances in Bulgarian Rhythm: No. 149 – No. 148
6. Vol. 4: No. 108. Wrestling – Vol. 6: Six Dances in Bulgarian Rhythm: Nos. 150-151
7. Vol. 3: No. 94. Once Upon a Time … - Vol. 6: Six Dances in Bulgarian Rhythm: Nos. 152 – 153
8. Vol. 5: No. 126. Change of Time – Vol. 4: No. 116. Melody – Vol. 5: No. 130. Village Joke – Vol 5: No. 139. Merry Andrew
9. Vol. 6: No. 143. Divided Arpeggios – Vol. 6: No. 147. March
10. Vol. 6: No. 144. Minor Seconds, Major Sevenths
11. No. 97. Notturno - No. 118. Triplets … - No. 141. Subject … - No. 136. Whole-tone … - No. 125. Boating - No. 114. Theme and Inversion
Béla Bartók, piano
Benny Goodman, clarinet

CD 5

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, Op. 47, "Kreutzer"
1. I. Adagio sostenuto - Presto
2. II. Andante con variazioni
3. III. Presto

Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
Violin Sonata in G Minor
4. I. Allegro vivo
5. II. Intermede (Fantastique et leger)
6. III. Finale (Tres anime)

Béla Bartók
7. Violin Sonata No. 2, BB 85
8. Rhapsody No. 1, BB 94a

Béla Bartók, piano
Joseph Szigeti, violin

CD 6

Béla Bartók
Sonata for 2 pianos and percussion, BB 115
1. I. Assai lento - Allegro molto
2. II. Lento, ma non troppo
3. III. Allegro non troppo
4. Petite Suite, BB 113
5. 14 Bagatelles, Op. 6, BB 50: No. 2. Allegro giocoso - 3 Rondos on Slovak Folktunes: No. 1. Andante
6. Improvisations on Hungarian Peasant Songs Op20,Sz74 Nos. 1,2,6,7,8
7. 9 Little Piano Pieces, BB 90: No. 9. Preludio: All'ungherese
8. 3 Hungarian Folk Tunes, BB 80b
9. 7 Pieces from Mikrokosmos for two pianos, BB 120 Nos. 2, 5, 6
10. 10 Easy Pieces, BB 51. Evening in Transylvania. Bear Dance
For Children, BB 53 (excerpts)
11. Vol. 1: No. 3. Quasi adagio - No. 4. Pillow Dance - No. 6. Study for the Left Hand - No. 10. Children's Dance - No. 12. Allegro
12. Vol. 1: No. 13. Ballade - No. 15. Allegro moderato - No. 18. Soldier's Song - No. 19. Allegretto - No. 21. Allegro robusto
14. Vol. 2: No. 26. Moderato - No. 34. Allegretto - No. 35. Con moto - No. 31. Andante tranquillo - No. 30. Jeering Song
Béla Bartók, piano
Ditta Bartók-Pasztory, piano
with Henry J. Baker, Edward J. Rubsam