Bartók Essentials

About this playlist

The Hungarian composer Béla Bartók was without a doubt one of the most important composers of the 20th century, and has such a varied body of work you're sure to find something you'll love, if not all of it. Of particular note are the string quartets (considered by many to be the most important since Beethoven), the barnstorming Concerto for Orchestra and the one act opera, Bluebeard's Castle.

Tracklist

Bartók: 4 Old Hungarian Folksongs, Sz. 50

No. 1, Long Ago I Told You

Hungarian National Chorus

1:20

Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra, Sz. 116

5. Finale (Pesante - Presto)

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

9:24

Bartók: Cantata profana, Sz. 94

2. Andante

Tamas Daroczy

7:54

Bartók: Mikrokosmos, Sz. 107

No. 94. Once Upon a Time...

Jenő Jandó

0:57

Bartók: The Miraculous Mandarin, Sz. 73

Maestoso: The Mandarin Enters

Budapest Festival Orchestra

6:56

Bartók: String Quartet No.1, Sz. 40

String Quartet No. 1, Sz. 40: III. Allegro vivace

Heath Quartet

10:20

Bartók: Dance Suite, Sz. 77

3. Allegro vivace

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

2:57

Bartók: Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, Sz. 106

II. Allegro

Esa-Pekka Salonen

7:14

Bartók: Divertimento, Sz. 113

3. Allegro assai

Academy of St. Martin in the Fields

7:05

Bartók: Mikrokosmos, Sz. 107

No. 125. Boating

Jenő Jandó

1:28

Bartók: Piano Quintet in C Major, DD77

IV. Poco a poco più vivace

Tátrai Quartet

7:35

Bartók: Violin Concerto No.2 in B minor, Sz. 112

1. Allegro non troppo

Gil Shaham

16:39

Bartók: String Quartet No.3, Sz. 85

String Quartet No. 3, Sz. 85: IV. Coda. Allegro molto

Heath Quartet

2:20

Bartók: 14 Bagatelles, Sz. 38

10. Allegro

Zoltán Kocsis

2:08

Bartók

Bartók: 44 Duos for 2 Violins, Sz. 98: XXIX. Újévkoszonto (New Year's Greeting)

Itzhak Perlman

0:41

Bartók: 4 Old Hungarian Folksongs, Sz. 50

No. 2, O God, Why Am I Waiting?

Hungarian National Chorus

0:40

Bartók: Funeral March, DD75b

Jojjetek, jojjetek! Szep magyar vitezek, aranyos leventek! (Come, come! You splendid lads, You valiant Hungarian Warriors!) -

Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien

3:55

Bartók: Mikrokosmos, Sz. 107

No. 100. In Folk Song Style

Jenő Jandó

0:46

Bartók: Duke Bluebeard's Castle, Sz. 48

Bluebeard's Castle: Fourth Door (The Secret Garden)

Anne Sofie von Otter/Sir John Tomlinson/Sandor Elès/Berliner Philharmoniker/Bernard Haitink

4:58

Bartók: The Wooden Prince, Sz. 60

Great Apotheosis -

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

3:25

Bartók: Piano Sonata, Sz. 80

III. Allegro molto

Murray Perahia

3:35

Bartók

Bartók: 44 Duos for 2 Violins, Sz. 98: XL. Oláh Tánc (Walachian Dance)

Itzhak Perlman

0:41

Bartók: String Quartet No.4, Sz. 91

String Quartet No. 4, Sz. 91: II. Prestissimo, con sordino

Heath Quartet

3:12

Bartók: Sonata, Sz. 110

2. Lento, ma non troppo

Martha Argerich

6:36

Bartók

Bartók: 44 Duos for 2 Violins, Sz. 98: XLIV. "Erdélyi" Tánc (Transylvanian Dance)

Itzhak Perlman

1:36

Bartók: Sonatina, Sz. 55

Piano Sonatina, Sz. 55

György Sándor

4:03

Bartók: String Quartet No.6, Sz. 114

String Quartet No. 6, Sz. 114: IV. Mesto

Heath Quartet

6:48

Bartók: Székely Folksongs, Sz. 99

No. 1, How Often I've Grieved for You

Hungarian National Chorus

4:45

Bartók: Mikrokosmos, Sz. 107

No. 148. 6 Dances in Bulgarian Rhythm I

Jenő Jandó

1:49

Bartók: 4 Old Hungarian Folksongs, Sz. 50

No. 3, In My Sister-in-law's Garden

Hungarian National Chorus

0:43

No. 4, Joey Geszte Saddles Up His Velvet Horse

Hungarian National Chorus

0:55

Total playing time

2:13:39

Curated by

Guy Jones

Head of Curation

About this playlist

The Hungarian composer Béla Bartók was without a doubt one of the most important composers of the 20th century, and has such a varied body of work you're sure to find something you'll love, if not all of it. Of particular note are the string quartets (considered by many to be the most important since Beethoven), the barnstorming Concerto for Orchestra and the one act opera, Bluebeard's Castle.

Curated by

Guy Jones

Head of Curation

Done