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Bart贸k recovers from romantic rejection. Donald Macleod explores the life of one of Hungary's greatest composers, who travelled Europe recording folk songs.

Bart贸k recovers from romantic rejection.

B茅la Bart贸k was regarded as one of Hungary鈥檚 greatest composers. His fellow countryman, the pianist Andras Schiff, called him 鈥渙ne of the giants in the history of music.鈥 But he was also one of the founders of what we now call ethnomusicology, spending much of his time immersed in peasant life, collecting folk songs. As around him Europe was torn apart by conflict, Bart贸k found relief in rural life and took inspiration from these traditional tunes, incorporating them into his own compositions.

In today's programme, Donald finds out who would provide a salve for Bart贸k's heartache.

7 Sketches, BB 54, Sz. 44
Dejan Lazic, piano

Duke Bluebeard's Castle, Sz. 48, Op. 11
Szilvia V枚r枚s, mezzo-soprano
Mika Kares, bass
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Susanna M盲lkki

Duke Bluebeard's Castle, Sz. 48, Op. 11
G谩bor Bretz, bass
Rinat Shaham, soprano
Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Karina Canellakis

Four Dirges, Op. 9a
Kabi Laretei, piano

Produced by Alice McKee for 麻豆社 Audio Wales & West

27 days left to listen

59 minutes

Music Played

  • B茅la Bart贸k

    7 Sketches, Sz.44, (No.1, Portrait of a Girl)

    Performer: Dejan Lazi膰.
    • CHANNEL CLASSICS : CCSSA-23407.
    • CHANNEL CLASSICS.
    • 10.
  • B茅la Bart贸k

    7 Sketches, Sz.44

    Performer: Dejan Lazi膰.
    • CHANNEL CLASSICS : CCSSA-23407.
    • CHANNEL CLASSICS.
    • 11.
  • B茅la Bart贸k

    Duke Bluebeard's Castle, Sz.48 (excerpt)

    Singer: Szilvia V枚r枚s. Singer: Mika Kares. Orchestra: Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Susanna M盲lkki.
    • BIS : BIS-2388.
    • BIS.
    • 1.
  • B茅la Bart贸k

    Duke Bluebeard's Castle, Sz.48 (excerpt)

    Singer: G谩bor Bretz. Singer: Rinat Shaham. Orchestra: Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Karina Canellakis.
    • PENTATONE : PTC 5187-225.
    • PENTATONE.
    • 5.
  • B茅la Bart贸k

    Four Dirges, Sz.45

    Performer: K盲bi Laretei.
    • PROPRIUS : PRCD-9113.
    • PROPRIUS.
    • 6.

Broadcast

  • Wednesday 16:00

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