SKU: HL.50511390

ISBN 9790080019719. UPC: 073999576511. 9.0x12.0x0.095 inches.

'The significance of the Rhapsody composed in 1904 in Gerlicepuszta and Pozsony is well shown by the fact that Bartok subsequently reserved the designation 'Opus 1' of his last, mature opus numbering for this piece. By choosing this genre Bartok was clearly following in Liszt's footsteps. But he did not merely follow the Hungarian Rhapsodies with their parading of folkloristic art songs in a virtuoso instrumental fantasy. The formal coherence of Bartok's work allows us to infer the influence of the large-scale Liszt compositions he then knew, such as the B minor Sonata. Unlike Liszt, Bartok builds his Rhapsody not on familiar melodies but on themes of his own invention, yet hisstyle is still that of nineteenth-century folkiness, and draws on the art-music tradition based on the verbunkos and the csardas.'
(HCD 32524 Bartok New Series Vol. 24, Istvan G. Nemeth).

SKU: BT.EMBZ1971

'The significance of the Rhapsody composed in 1904 in Gerlicepuszta and Pozsony is well shown by the fact that Bartók subsequently reserved the designation 'Opus 1' of his last, mature opus numbering for this piece. By choosing this genre Bartók was clearly following in Liszt's footsteps. But he did not merely follow the Hungarian Rhapsodies with their parading of folkloristic art songs in a virtuoso instrumental fantasy. The formal coherence of Bartók's work allows us to infer the influence of the large-scale Liszt compositions he then knew, such as the B minor Sonata. Unlike Liszt, Bartók builds his Rhapsody not on familiar melodies but on themes of his own invention, yet hisstyle is still that of nineteenth-century folkiness, and draws on the art-music tradition based on the verbunkos and the csárdás.' (HCD 32524 Bartók New Series Vol. 24, István G. Németh).

SKU: HL.49018965

ISBN 9790001175791.

What do Beethoven and the children's song Fuchs Du hast die Gans gestohlen have in common? Nothing, strictly speaking. Although the song was written as early as 1824 (and theoretically, Beethoven could have known it), it has not left deep marks on his oeuvre. But what if he had known it? Wolfgang Birtel pursued this question and, in reply to it, conceived a symphony for string quartet: behind each movement is an original symphony by Beethoven (spiced with quotes from other works). The children's song appears as the main theme in the final movement of Symphony No. 1, in the famous funeral march of Eroica, fate knocks at the door (of the goose house) in remembrance of Symphony No. 5, and the work ends with Ode to the Roast Goose (Symphony No. 9). A funny and cleverly arranged collage, a performing and listening pleasure in the footsteps of Beethoven.