Ditta Bartók-Pásztory Plays Bartók (CD)

UPC: 

MPN: HCD 31039 

Brand Name: Hungaroton Classic

Overview

Ditta Bartók-Pásztory Plays Bartók is an exceptional recording honoring Béla Bartók’s unique partnership with his wife, Ditta Pásztory-Bartók, for whom many of his most profound piano works were written. This 1988 Hungaroton release features the pianist herself performing Bartók’s Concerto for Two Pianos, Percussion and Orchestra, Seven Pieces from Mikrokosmos, and the Suite Op. 4/b for Two Pianos — masterpieces that display Bartók’s rhythmic brilliance, harmonic innovation, and folkloric intensity.

Conducted by János Sándor with the Budapest Symphony Orchestra, this recording captures the spirit of Bartók’s modernist experimentation and his deep connection to Hungarian folk tradition. The inclusion of Ditta Bartók-Pásztory as a performer makes this album a historic and emotional tribute to the composer’s own artistic circle and vision.

Product Features

• Format: Audio CD (ADD – Analog Recording, Digitally Remastered)
• Genre: Classical / Hungarian Modernism / Piano Concerto
• Composer: Béla Bartók (1881–1945)
• Performer: Ditta Bartók-Pásztory – Piano
• Additional Pianists: Erzsébet Tusa, Mária Comensoli
• Percussionists: Ferenc Petz, József Marton
• Orchestra: Budapest Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: János Sándor
• Label: Hungaroton Classic Ltd.
• Country of Manufacture: Japan (Manufactured by Sanyo)
• Recording Year: Originally recorded mid-20th century; released 1988
• Total Duration: 65:31
• Language of Notes: English
• UPC: 5991811310394
• Catalog Number: HCD 31039

Track Listing

1. Concerto for Two Pianos, Percussion and Orchestra, Sz. 115

1. Assai lento – Allegro molto – 13:53
2. Lento ma non troppo – 6:22
3. Allegro non troppo – 6:34

2. Seven Pieces from Mikrokosmos, Sz. 108 (for Two Pianos)

1. Bulgarian Rhythm – 1:09
2. Chord and Trill Study – 1:06
3. Perpetuum Mobile – 0:46
4. Short Canon and Its Inversion – 0:49
5. New Hungarian Folksong – 0:58
6. Chromatic Invention – 1:13
7. Ostinato – 2:34

3. Suite for Two Pianos, Op. 4/b (Sz. 115a)

1. Serenata – 6:27
2. Allegro diabolico – 8:58
3. Scena della Puszta (Scene on the Puszta) – 7:26
4. Per finire – 6:31

Total Running Time: 65:31

Interesting Facts

• A Composer and His Muse: Bartók composed the Concerto for Two Pianos and Percussion in 1937–38, performing it with his wife Ditta at its premiere in Basel. This piece marks their artistic unity and the culmination of his rhythmic experimentation.
• From Mikrokosmos to Makrokosmos: Bartók envisioned this concerto as an expansion of his piano cycle Mikrokosmos, demonstrating how small-scale pedagogical pieces could evolve into grand symphonic works.
• Innovative Instrumentation: The combination of two pianos and percussion instruments was groundbreaking, creating a striking balance of rhythmic power and textural color.
• Rare Historic Recording: This Hungaroton edition is notable for featuring Ditta Bartók-Pásztory herself, making it a significant document of performance history directly linked to the composer’s own interpretation style.
• Hungarian Heritage: As the national composer of Hungary, Bartók infused these works with folk rhythms and modal harmonies drawn from his ethnomusicological research.

Publishers

Published by: Hungaroton Classic Ltd., Budapest Manufactured by: Sanyo, Japan (for Hungaroton) Recorded with: Budapest Symphony Orchestra Conductor: János Sándor Copyright: © 1988 Hungaroton Classic Ltd. Recording Format: ADD (Stereo)

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