The Apple
A mysterious folk tune ignites Bartók'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 Bartók's imagination.
Béla Bartók was regarded as one of Hungary’s greatest composers. His fellow countryman, the pianist Andras Schiff, called him “one of the giants in the history of music.” 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, Bartók 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 Bartók's early years and the chance encounter that changed the trajectory of his composing.
Romanian Folk Dances
BBC 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 Meláth, mezzo-soprano
Emese Virág, piano
Produced by Alice McKee for BBC Audio Wales & West
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- Mon 4 May 202616:00BBC Radio 3
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