Besides being one of the most important composers of the 20th century, Bela Bartok would undoubtedly be one of the greatest Hungarian cultural icons. Universally revered, Bartok was perhaps the first person to take a keen interest in the local music of Hungary and Romania. Known today as ethnomusicology, Bartok devoted his entire life to understanding and popularizing popular music and its influence on his later works.
Bela Bartok – The Hungarian Cultural Icon
The launch of Hungaroton Classic Record Company’s Bartok New Series gave Delhi’s Bartok Music Club a good reason to celebrate. The new series superbly replaces previous Bartok Complete Edition record labels from the 1960s and 1970s. Updating the legendary composer’s body of work for a new generation, Bartok New Series comes with Super Audio CD technology with true 6-channel sound. Made by internationally renowned composer and conductor Zoltan Kocsis, the recordings are nothing short of a delight.
Taking place under the aegis of Dr. Imre Lazar, the Director of the Hungarian Cultural Center, the guests were able to enjoy excerpts from the four published volumes of the composer’s work. Starting with a brief introduction about Bartok for the benefit of new members, Dr. Lazar came out to talk about the history of the Bartok recording.
The break between Zoltan Kocsis and Ivan Fischer…
Although Zoltan Kocsis and Ivan Fischer, one of Hungary’s celebrated conductors, collaborated on many previous Bartok recordings, the two fell out bitterly before embarking on this series.
There is a famous Hungarian proverb that the inn is always too small for two flutists, and with new technology crying out for updates to Bartok’s works, there was a huge debate in Hungary: who would oversee this new recording? With two clear groups in Kocsis and his Hungarian State Orchestra and Fischer with the Budapest Festival Orchestra, the state government did not know what to do.
Kocsis wanted new recordings, while Fischer was convinced to digitally remaster some old recordings, the government eventually made the two parties commit to Kociss, but advised including some of Fischer’s old recordings.
Enchanted by Fischer’s version of the Rhapsody for piano and orchestra and later by the Violin Concerto No. 1 conducted by Kocsis, the guests enjoyed the Bartok classic with superior sound and a complete concert hall experience. Written before turning to folk music, Bartok’s Rhapsody for Piano and Orchestra has a long melody and numerous appearances representing various moods. Written for Steffi Geyer, the Violin Concerto has a romantic undertone.
The best of Bartok Music
Strange are the ways of love and by the time the piece was completed, Bartok’s love had grown cold. Bartok never played or published the piece in his life, but fortunately he did not destroy it, allowing it to have a life of its own after Bartok. Blessed with an evocative melody, the piece is smooth and clearly portrays a man in love with his beloved.
The cozy surroundings of the Hungarian Center, the winter night, the crystal clear sound of Bartok accompanied by millions of anecdotes about the genius, The Bartok Music Club is a sure way to escape from the burden of mundane everyday existence!
