Fritz Reiner - Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra; Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta; Hungarian Sketches

Title: Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra; Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta; Hungarian Sketches Artist: Fritz Reiner Release Date: 1993 Label: RCA Victor Duration: 76:15 Album Type(s): performer(s) biography, Special essay (music history, styles, etc.), composition (work) description UPC: 090266150427 Genre: Concerto Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 2 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 1

1. Concerto for Orchestra, Sz. 116, BB 127
   - Introduzione: Andante non troppo; Allegro vivace
2. Concerto for Orchestra, Sz. 116, BB 127
   - Giuoco delle coppie: Allegretto scherzando
3. Concerto for Orchestra, Sz. 116, BB 127
   - Elegia: Andante non troppo
4. Concerto for Orchestra, Sz. 116, BB 127
   - Intermezzo interrotto: Allegretto
5. Concerto for Orchestra, Sz. 116, BB 127
   - Finale: Pesante; Presto
6. Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta, Sz. 106, BB 114
   - Andante tranquillo
7. Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta, Sz. 106, BB 114
   - Allegro
8. Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta, Sz. 106, BB 114
   - Adagio
9. Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta, Sz. 106, BB 114
   - Allegro molto
10. Hungarian Sketches (Magyar képek), for orchestra, Sz. 97, BB 103
    - An Evening in the Village
11. Hungarian Sketches (Magyar képek), for orchestra, Sz. 97, BB 103
    - Bear Dance
12. Hungarian Sketches (Magyar képek), for orchestra, Sz. 97, BB 103
    - Melody
13. Hungarian Sketches (Magyar képek), for orchestra, Sz. 97, BB 103
    - Slighty Tipsy
14. Hungarian Sketches (Magyar képek), for orchestra, Sz. 97, BB 103
    - Swineherd's Dance

Fritz Reiner's friendship with Béla Bartók must be considered an important factor in the creation of these legendary recordings. Koussevitsky's famous commission for the Concerto for orchestra was due in large part to Reiner's advocacy, and he was among the first conductors to both perform and record this masterpiece. Beyond this, Reiner's great sympathy for his friend's work extends to the care and attention to detail he gave to the works included here. For all its virtuosity, the concerto is structurally symphonic, and Reiner ensures that the music formally coheres. He goes under the dazzling surface to touch the tragic core of the work and draws a deeply moving performance from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The Music for strings, percussion, and celesta is even more splendidly performed and recorded, and is arguably the finest recording Reiner ever made of Bartók's music. For intensity and precision, this performance has never been surpassed. The Hungarian Sketches, a lighter piece than either of the preceding works, is often excluded from RCA's other reissues, but it is a delightful bonus that makes this deluxe edition the one worth having. The sound quality of the recording is generally excellent, especially with RCA's fastidious remastering. ~ Blair Sanderson, All Music Guide

Name Credits Chicago Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Fritz Reiner Conductor Irving Kolodin Liner Notes John Pfeiffer Reissue Producer Jon M. Samuels Engineer Lewis Layton Engineer Nathaniel S. Johnson Remastering Supervisor Richard Mohr Producer Roger Dettmer Liner Notes