The Apple
A mysterious folk tune ignites Bart贸k's imagination. Donald Macleod explores the life of one of Hungary's greatest composers, who travelled Europe recording folk songs.
A mysterious folk tune ignites Bart贸k's imagination.
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 Macleod explores Bart贸k's early years and the chance encounter that changed the trajectory of his composing.
Romanian Folk Dances
麻豆社 Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard
Rhapsody for piano, Op. 1, BB36a, Sz. 26
Alexandre Kantorow, piano
Kossuth Symphonic Poem Sz21
Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra, Zoltan Kocsis
Szekely Folksong, BB 34, "Piros alma"
Andrea Mel谩th, mezzo-soprano
Emese Vir谩g, piano
Produced by Alice McKee for 麻豆社 Audio Wales & West
Last on
More episodes
Previous
You are at the first episode
Music Played
-
![]()
B茅la Bart贸k
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 68
Orchestra: 麻豆社 Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Thomas Dausgaard.- ONYX : ONYX-4233.
- ONYX.
- 23.
-
![]()
B茅la Bart贸k
Rhapsody for piano, Op. 1
Performer: Alexandre Kantorow.- BIS : BIS-2380.
- BIS.
- 6.
-
![]()
B茅la Bart贸k
Kossuth
Performer: Zoltan Kocsis. Orchestra: Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra.- HUNGAROTON : HSACD-3205.
- HUNGAROTON.
- 1.
-
![]()
B茅la Bart贸k
Kossuth
Performer: Zoltan Kocsis. Orchestra: Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra.- HUNGAROTON : HSACD-3205.
- HUNGAROTON.
- 1.
-
![]()
B茅la Bart贸k
Piros Alma (The Red Apple)
Performer: Emese Virag. Singer: Andrea Melath.- HUNGAROTON : HCD 31909.
- HUNGAROTON.
- 6.
-
![]()
B茅la Bart贸k
Edesanyam rozsafaja (My Mother's Rosebush)
Performer: Emese Virag. Singer: Andrea Melath.- HUNGAROTON.
Broadcast
- Monday 16:00麻豆社 Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed 鈥� the box set
The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems
Composers A to Z
Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod鈥檚 best stories from the last 20 years
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time 鈥� why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.