Bartok, Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta (Fricsay) II

The Second Part of Bartok's masterpiece, a fierce, fast paced movement, with mechanical rhythms and really original textures and sonorities, based on the idea of the sonata form. Bartok here, as in other works, and in this particular movement, plays with the instruments' character and interchanges their "traditional" qualities. For example in the quasi-development middle section, the strings are used percussively (playing pizzicato and setting the rhythmic context and pace, a role that is traditionally played by percussive instruments) while the percussion, piano, harp and celesta focus in generating melodies and harmonic nuances.
Here the RIAS symphony Orchestra under Ferenc Fricsay, who was Bartok's student, deliver an incredible, stunning performance. For me this is the best version ever of this work and it is a shame that Deutche Grammophone could not record it in stereo. Still you can listen to Fricsay's genius approach to Bartok's work and the orchestra's superb level, a combination that, for me, is unsurpassed until today, although admittedly I have not heard every single recording out there, but I plan to since this is one of my favorite works of all time.....

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Bela
• Bartok
• Ferenc
• Fricsay
• RIAS
• Symphony
• Orchestra
• music
• strings
• percussion
• celesta
• modern
• classical
• masterpiece

[peppersax]

When I hear this masterpiece, I can't help but wondering how much of Bartok's music did Bernard Herrmann listen to? It's a damn shame that a genius like this died poor and we have people like Kandye West, Eminem living LARGE off the bullshit they call music. They couldn't even tie Bartok's shoes, no less get close to his GENIUS!!! (Sorry about the tangent). When u hear this piece, one can't help but to call to mind 2 other geniuses, Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky. Man, I LOVE CLASSICAL MUSIC!!!!!

[Scarbogn]

Like Homer Simpson said, comparing Bartok, Stravinsky or other geniuses with Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, etc. is like comparing champagne with carbonated pee.

[silence83]

Nice description ~ !

[ThyrmBloodaxe]

@motorhead412 rofl

[peppersax]

@mightyafrowhitey Actually, you're correct: I had forgotten about one such person. The only rap I've listened to and liked was that of Will Smith's. His rap had clever rhymes and the music was always good. Examples are his "Men in Black", "Summertime" and "Get Jiggy Wit it" (to name a few). Other than that, the others are pretty much for toilet flushing (IMHO).

[mightyafrowhitey]

@peppersax You don't have to cuss to be a good rapper. It's a lot like poetry. A lot of it is crap, but some of it is really good. It all depends on who you listen to I guess.

[peppersax]

@mightyafrowhitey Actually, I've tried listening to it and appreciating it. My son is a hardcore hip hopper. I just can't hear it....I WILL NEVER HEAR IT! Hearing someone say 100 expletives in a 4 minute record while a drum loop is going on, isn't my idea of a "completely legitimate art form". Thank you, but I'll die happily while consuming large doses of Bartok, Stravinsky, Schumann, Shostakovitch, Walton, Hanson, Piston, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Bach, and the list goes on:)

[mightyafrowhitey]

@peppersax Actually, Ememin's earlier stuff was very good. Maybe you don't like rap. A lot of people don't. I don't particularly care for hip hop music, or Eminem's music really either. But rap is a completely legitimate art form. It's like anything. Classical, Jazz, Bluegrass, whatever. You have to come to it. It doesn't come to you. You have to have the ears to listen to it, otherwise you won't hear it... Having said that, I love classical music too. Especially the modern stuff.

[MikeFreakinByrne]

This movement is one of my favorite pieces of all time. Totally agree with peppersax, Tchaik and Stravunsky are very apparent in this. I'm a student composer right now; thank you bela bartok for being one of my number one influences!

[1q1o1t1s1a1]

@motorhead412 Because it is a well known fact that GREAT MEN NEVER DIE!!!!!!!!

[motorhead412]

if he's so great, then why he is dead?