Exciting!! (Bartók - The Wooden Prince - Bela Bartok)

Member Name: Pingu

Product:	Bartók - The Wooden Prince - Bela Bartok
Date:	30/06/00 (31 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: see above

Disadvantages: none

Bartok's name has somehow become attached to the idea of unlistenable-to music, loud noises, and all things unpleasant. This is thoroughly undeserved. Maybe for its original audiences it was a little strange, but it is unfalr that their label has stuck, since Bartok's music is not at all shocking by modern standards. Its harmonies are less shocking than the average score for a family film.

It's about time Bartok got the recognition he deserves. Stravinsky, Debussy and Schoenberg are usually credited with managing to break down Romanticism, and sowing the seeds for 20th century music, but, in fact, Bartok ought to be listed as a 4th member of this group, since he went completely his own way in isolation from these three. Perhaps he has been slightly less influential, but that only just means that his music has stayed fresh, while that of the other three has become cliche.

Bartok's music is heavily influenced by his studies of ethnic musics, both those of his own Hungary and other countries from which he gathered recordings of folk music. This means his music is spiced by some very quirky dance rhythms. His orchestrations are absolutely first rate.

All of Bartok's output is well worth hearing, but starting with some of the more spectacular pieces may help whet your appetite. The piano and violin concertos are phenomenal, as is the Concerto for Orchestra. And the Sonata For Two Pianos and Percussion is just one on its own, one of the most outstanding works of all time.

Give Bartok a chance, he is fantastic!!

Summary: