Bartók: Studies; Improvisations; Dance Suite; Out of Doors; Sonata

1. Studies (3), for piano (Etudök), Sz. 72, BB 81 (Op. 18)
Composed by Bela Bartok
with Gabor Gabos

2. Eight Improvisations on Hungarian Peasant Songs for piano, Sz. 74, BB 83 (Op. 20)
Composed by Bela Bartok
with Gabor Gabos

3. Eight Improvisations on Hungarian Peasant Songs for piano, Sz. 74, BB 83 (Op. 20)
Composed by Bela Bartok
with Gabor Gabos

4. Eight Improvisations on Hungarian Peasant Songs for piano, Sz. 74, BB 83 (Op. 20)
Composed by Bela Bartok
with Gabor Gabos

5. Eight Improvisations on Hungarian Peasant Songs for piano, Sz. 74, BB 83 (Op. 20)
Composed by Bela Bartok
with Gabor Gabos

6. Eight Improvisations on Hungarian Peasant Songs for piano, Sz. 74, BB 83 (Op. 20)
Composed by Bela Bartok
with Gabor Gabos

7. Eight Improvisations on Hungarian Peasant Songs for piano, Sz. 74, BB 83 (Op. 20)
Composed by Bela Bartok
with Gabor Gabos

8. Eight Improvisations on Hungarian Peasant Songs for piano, Sz. 74, BB 83 (Op. 20)
Composed by Bela Bartok
with Gabor Gabos

9. Eight Improvisations on Hungarian Peasant Songs for piano, Sz. 74, BB 83 (Op. 20)
Composed by Bela Bartok
with Gabor Gabos

10. Dance Suite, for orchestra (Táncszvit), Sz. 77, BB 86a
Composed by Bela Bartok
with Gabor Gabos

11. Out of Doors, suite for piano (Szabadban), Sz. 81, BB 89
Composed by Bela Bartok
with Erzsebet Tusa

12. Sonata (1926), for piano, Sz. 80, BB 88
Composed by Bela Bartok
with Erzsebet Tusa

Amazon.com

Sàndor, still active at 90 as this reissue appears, was a student of Bartók and a preferred interpreter of his music. Since this set appeared on nine LPs in the early 1960s, it has been the standard for Bartók's piano music; in this fine-sounding reissue, it still is. Sàndor can hit hard enough for such virtuoso pieces as the Piano Sonata and "Out of Doors," but he also retains the romantic element heard in the composer's own playing which tempers the harsher qualities of the music. While this collection isn't quite as complete as advertised (some early, insignificant piano music by Bartók is omitted), it includes all of Bartók's significant piano music, including such relatively obscure gems as the Bagatelles, eight Improvisations, and many delectable folk arrangements which will appeal even to listeners who think Bartók is too challenging for them. Vox's recorded sound, superbly remastered, resists obsolescence as effectively as Sàndor's performances. Even with the inclusion of the early books of "Mikrokosmos," which will appeal mostly to piano students, this set is worth several times the asking price. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Microcosmos.......2007-03-08

Sándor was a champion not only of Bartók's music but also of Bartók's style of playing. He often complained that people were too quick to see Bartók as ultra-modern, and to fail to appreciate the rich seam of lyricism that also runs through his music.

The piano music is dominated by short pieces, many of them written for piano students, notably the collections "Microcosmos" and "For Children". These, together with suites of folk dance arrangements, make up the bulk of the solo piano output.

Sandór plays these short, and often simple pieces, with neither too much nor too little art. As a gifted teacher, he knew unerringly how much music each of these small vessels held. The result is beguiling - but be warned: no-one can listen to the 153 short pieces of Microcosmos end-to-end. This is an anthology to be dipped into, not swallowed whole.

The remastering is pretty successful (fortunately - some of Vox's CD reissues are plagued by severe deterioration of the original tapes). And it's for half nothing-what's not to like?

Great value with a few flaws.......2006-07-28

I am not a Bartok expert by any scale, but I do like the way these pieces, without exception, are played. There are, however, a couple of other problems.

As mentioned by an earlier reviewer, very few of the works are split into tracks - Mikrokosmos is divided into 7 for each of its six volumes, and to accomodate for a full CD. In these seven tracks there are 121 songs. I would have much preferred if the songs had been split into tracks. Almost the entire CD set is this way - Fifteen Hungarian Songs is one track, Fourteen Bagatelles, etc. It is very annoying when one wants to hear a particular song in those tracks and not the others.

Another detriment to the collection is the recording quality. It is decent most of the time, but in loud sections the piano buzzes. One might be able to ignore it, but I think that it detracts from the passion of the forte quite a bit.

Overall, for $18 it is pretty decent, but if you are like me and like to keep your music library neatly organized (and aren't extremely cheap), I would not recommend this set.

eeh, I guess I don't like Bartok that much.......2006-07-25

I like the fact that Bartok is into the folk tradition and all, but he just tends to forget the fact that melody has to be SOMEWHERE in the music. I'm all for creative expression when you're sitting alone at the piano, but abstract music should be reserved for performance art. I like playing some of your stuff Bela, but I just don't want to listen to you.

Best classical value out there.......2005-10-05

To put this set in perspective, for months I would go to my local Tower Records fishing for worthwhile classical CDs at least once a week. One of the discs that sat in the bins the longest was a single CD of Bartok piano music, played by Zoltan Kocsis. It was Volume 7 of a complete series. This CD listed for $17.99, and as long as I went to that Tower Records, it did not budge an inch, nor was its price amended.

Now, Kocsis is one of the greatest pianists alive, and if anyone is worthy of commanding a premium, it is him. And to be fair, that CD is going to be re-released on October 11 as part of a Collector's Edition - eight CDs, $63.97 MSRP. But it's already going up against this little gem, which contains five CDs with all of the truly great solo-piano works by an internationally recognized Bartok specialist for $21 - not much more than the cost of one CD from the other set. This kind of value is not to be taken lightly.

I came to this set with my impression of Sandor informed by his complete Prokofiev - ultra-hard, sometimes rhythmically slack, always melodically lacking in some way or another. But he held a very special feeling for Bartok, and saved his best playing for the great Hungarian. In passages like the first of the Three Csik Dances, the opening of the Improvisations Op. 20, or in the Ten Easy Pieces, there is a simplicity, charm and wistful homesickness that is quite touching. In pieces like the Out of Doors suite, the Sonata, or the Burlesques, there is a vicious, impulsive energy, a wicked sense of humor and an overabundance of overtones. It is never mindless, inappropriate or even overly harsh - it's just very, very loud.

In this set I like best the endless landscape of the Sonatina, the unusual colors and fragrances in the Etudes, the brilliantly conceived Bear Dance (the last of the Ten Easy Pieces), and the multifaceted, complex, gorgeous Improvisations. Any fan of Bartok should hear these.

5 Stars for the music and performance.......2005-04-04

This is a fantastic deal, but the problem with this Collection stems from the fact that the pieces are often not separated by tracks. This is especially annoying for the Children's Pieces and Mikrokosmos. There are so many pieces, one wears out the fast forward button and still may miss the particular piece one is looking for. The booklet is fairly insightful, and the performer is widely hailed as the supreme interpreter of Bartok's piano music. So aside from this slightly annoying at times and ridiculously annoying at other times flaw, this is one of the best deals in Classical music. Don't hesitate. Add it to the cart.

Average customer rating:

Masterful interpretation of Bartok's piano works

Zoltán Kocsis plays Bartók

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Improvisation | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0009A41VA
Release Date: 2005-10-11

Customer Reviews:

Masterful interpretation of Bartok's piano works.......2005-10-21

Without a doubt Bartok is one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. Combining a deep understanding of the possibilities of eastern European folk music - particularly Hungarian and Romanian - with an extremely advanced harmonic and rhythmic vocabulary, Bartok composed some of the greatest works of the last century.

Although Bartok wrote some sublime orchestral music (The Music for strings, percussion and celeste comes instantly to mind), it is in the realms of string quartet and solo piano music that Bartok reigns supreme among 20th century composers in the humble opinion of this reviewer.

So. Here is an 8 CD set of all of Bartok's solo piano music by (argueably) the pre-eminent interpreter of his piano music. These are insightful, passionate performances beautifully recorded.

I for one am thrilled to have this set - particularly since many of these CDs were unavailable up till now. The box is also very reasonably priced compared to the separate CDs.

Highly recommended - modern music begins here.

Bartók: Studies; Improvisations; Dance Suite; Out of Doors; Sonata

Average customer rating:

Bartók: Studies; Improvisations; Dance Suite; Out of Doors; Sonata

Manufacturer: Hungaroton
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000003088
Release Date: 1994-04-18

Average customer rating:

Best piano cd-design ever
Anthological performances!
Accessible Bartok

Bartók: Solo Piano Works

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

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Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
ASIN: B000002BZY
Release Date: 1995-08-22

Tracks:

For Children: Volume I - Children at Play. Allegro
For Children: Volume I - Children's Song. Andante
For Children: Volume I - Quasi adagio
For Children: Volume I - Pillow Dance. Adagio
For Children: Volume I - Play. Allegretto - Piu mosso - Tempo I
For Children: Volume I - Study for the Left Hand. Allegro
For Children: Volume I - Play Song. Andante grazioso
For Children: Volume I - Children's Game. Allegretto
For Children: Volume I - Song. Adagio
For Children: Volume I - Children's Dance. Allegro molto
For Children: Volume I - Lento
For Children: Volume I - Allegro
For Children: Volume I - Ballad. Andante
For Children: Volume I - Allegretto
For Children: Volume I - Allegro moderato
For Children: Volume I - Old Hungarian Tune. Andante rubato
For Children: Volume I - Round Dance. Lento
For Children: Volume I - Soldier's Song. Andante non troppo
For Children: Volume I - Allegretto
For Children: Volume I - Drinking Song. Allegro
For Children: Volume I - Allegro robusto
For Children: Volume II - Allegretto
For Children: Volume II - Dance Song. Allegro giocoso
For Children: Volume II - Andante sostenuto
For Children: Volume II - Parlando
For Children: Volume II - Moderato
For Children: Volume II - Jest. Allegramente
For Children: Volume II - Chorale. Andante
For Children: Volume II - Pentatonic Tune. Allegro scherzando
For Children: Volume II - Jeering Song. Allegro ironico
For Children: Volume II - Andante tranquillo
For Children: Volume II - Andante
For Children: Volume II - Allegro non troppo
For Children: Volume II - Allegretto
For Children: Volume II - Con moto
For Children: Volume II - Drunkard's Song. Vivace
For Children: Volume II - Swineherd's Song. Allegro
For Children: Volume II - Winter Solstice Song. Molto vivace
For Children: Volume II - Allegro moderato
For Children: Volume II - Swineherd's Dance. Allegro vivace
For Children: Allegro
For Children: Andante
For Children: Volume III - Allegretto
For Children: Volume III - Wedding Song. Andante
For Children: Volume III - Variation. Molto andante
For Children: Volume III - Round Dance I. Allegro
For Children: Volume III - Sorrow. Andante
For Children: Volume III - Dance. Allegro non troppo
For Children: Volume III - Round Dance II. Andante
For Children: Volume III - Funeral Song. Largo
For Children: Volume III - Lento
For Children: Volume III - Andante rubato
For Children: Volume III - Allegro
For Children: Volume III - Moderato
For Children: Volume III - Bagpipe I. Molto tranquillo
For Children: Volume III - Lament. Lento
For Children: Volume III - Andante
For Children: Volume III - Teasing Song. Sostenuto
For Children: Volume III - Romance. Assai lento
For Children: Volume III - Game of Tag. Presto
For Children: Volume III - Pleasantry. Allegro moderato
For Children: Volume III - Revelry. Molto allegro
For Children: Volume IV - Andante tranquillo
For Children: Volume IV - Andante
For Children: Volume IV - Scherzando. Allegretto
For Children: Volume IV - Peasant's Flute. Andante molto rubato
For Children: Volume IV - Pleasantry II. Allegro
For Children: Volume IV - Andante, molto rubato
For Children: Volume IV - Canon. Allegro non troppo
For Children: Volume IV - Bagpipe II. Vivace
For Children: Volume IV - The Highway Robber. Allegro
For Children: Volume IV - Pesante
For Children: Volume IV - Andante tranquillo
For Children: Volume IV - Farewell. Adagio
For Children: Volume IV - Ballad. Moderato
For Children: Volume IV - Rhapsody. Parlando, molto rubato - Allegro moderato
For Children: Volume IV - Dirge. Lento
For Children: Volume IV - Mourning Song. Lento
The First Term at the Piano: 1. Moderato
The First Term at the Piano: 2. Moderato
The First Term at the Piano: 3. Dialogue. Moderato
The First Term at the Piano: 4. Dialogue. Moderato
The First Term at the Piano: 5. Moderato
The First Term at the Piano: 6. Moderato
The First Term at the Piano: 7. Folk Song. Moderato
The First Term at the Piano: 8. Andante
The First Term at the Piano: 9. Andante
The First Term at the Piano: 10. Folk Song. Allegro
The First Term at the Piano: 11. Minuet. Andante
The First Term at the Piano: 12. Swineherd's Dance. Allegro
The First Term at the Piano: 13. 'Where have you been, My Lambkin?' (Folk Song) . Andante
The First Term at the Piano: 14. Andante
The First Term at the Piano: 15. Wedding Song. Moderato
The First Term at the Piano: 16. Peasant's Dance. Allegro moderato
The First Term at the Piano: 17. Allegro deciso
The First Term at the Piano: 18. Waltz. Tempo di valse

Tracks:

15 Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz.71: 1. Rubato
15 Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz.71: 2. Andante
15 Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz.71: 3. Poco rubato
15 Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz.71: 4. Andante
15 Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz.71: 5. Scherzo. Allegro
15 Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz.71: 6. Ballade (Tema con variazioni). Andante - Poco adagio - ...
15 Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz.71: 7. Allegro
15 Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz.71: 8. Allegretto
15 Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz.71: 9. Allegretto
15 Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz.71: 10. L'istesso tempo (quasi trio)
15 Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz.71: 11. Assai moderato
15 Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz.71: 12. Allegretto
15 Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz.71: 13. Poco piu vivo - Allegretto
15 Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz.71: 14. Allegro
15 Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz.71: 15. Allegro
3 Hungarian Folk Songs, Sz.35: 1. Rubato
3 Hungarian Folk Songs, Sz.35: 2. L'istesso tempo
3 Hungarian Folk Songs, Sz.35: 3. Poco vivo
3 Hungarian Folk Tunes, Sz.66: 1. Andante tranquillo, rubato
3 Hungarian Folk Tunes, Sz.66: 2. Allegro non troppo, un poco rubato
3 Hungarian Folk Tunes, Sz.66: 3. Maestoso
Improvisations On Hungarian Peasant Songs, Op.20: 1. Molto moderato
Improvisations On Hungarian Peasant Songs, Op.20: 2. Molto capriccioso
Improvisations On Hungarian Peasant Songs, Op.20: 3. Lento, rubato
Improvisations On Hungarian Peasant Songs, Op.20: 4. Allegretto scherzando
Improvisations On Hungarian Peasant Songs, Op.20: 5. Allegro molto
Improvisations On Hungarian Peasant Songs, Op.20: 6. Allegro moderato, molto capriccioso
Improvisations On Hungarian Peasant Songs, Op.20: 7. Sostenuto, rubato. A la memoire de Claude D.
Improvisations On Hungarian Peasant Songs, Op.20: 8. Allegro
3 Rondos on Folk Tunes, Sz.84: 1. Andante
3 Rondos on Folk Tunes, Sz.84: 2. Vivacissimo-
3 Rondos on Folk Tunes, Sz.84: 3. Allegro molto
Romanian Christmas Carols, Sz.57, Series I: 1. Allegro
Romanian Christmas Carols, Sz.57, Series I: 2. Allegro
Romanian Christmas Carols, Sz.57, Series I: 3. Allegro
Romanian Christmas Carols, Sz.57, Series I: 4. Andante
Romanian Christmas Carols, Sz.57, Series I: 5. Allegro moderato
Romanian Christmas Carols, Sz.57, Series I: 6. Andante
Romanian Christmas Carols, Sz.57, Series I: 7. Andante
Romanian Christmas Carols, Sz.57, Series I: 8. Allegretto
Romanian Christmas Carols, Sz.57, Series I: 9. Allegro
Romanian Christmas Carols, Sz.57, Series I: 10. Piu allegro
Romanian Christmas Carols, Sz.57, Series II: 1. Molto moderato
Romanian Christmas Carols, Sz.57, Series II: 2. Moderato
Romanian Christmas Carols, Sz.57, Series II: 3. Andante
Romanian Christmas Carols, Sz.57, Series II: 4. Andante
Romanian Christmas Carols, Sz.57, Series II: 5. Moderato
Romanian Christmas Carols, Sz.57, Series II: 6. Andante
Romanian Christmas Carols, Sz.57, Series II: 7. Variante della precedente - (Andante)
Romanian Christmas Carols, Sz.57, Series II: 8. Allegro
Romanian Christmas Carols, Sz.57, Series II: 9. Allegretto
Romanian Christmas Carols, Sz.57, Series II: 10. , Allegro
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz.56: 1. Stick dance
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz.56: 2. Belt dance
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz.56: 3. The stamper
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz.56: 4. Dance from Butshum
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz.56: 5. Romanian polka
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz.56: 6. Quick dance
2 Romanian Dances, op.8a: 1. Allegro vivace
2 Romanian Dances, op.8a: 2. Poco allegro - Molto vivace
Suite for piano, op.14: I. Allegretto
Suite for piano, op.14: II. Scherzo
Suite for piano, op.14: III. Allegro molto
Suite for piano, op.14: IV. Sostenuto
Andante (originally conceived as the 2nd movement of the Suite)

Tracks:

Sonata, Sz.80: I. Allegro moderato
Sonata, Sz.80: II. Sostenuto e pesante
Sonata, Sz.80: III. Allegro molto
Sonatine, Sz.55: I. Bagpipers. Allegretto
Sonatine, Sz.55: II. Bear's dance. Moderato
Sonatine, Sz.55: III. Finale. Allegro vivace
14 Bagatelles, op.6: 1. Molto sostenuto
14 Bagatelles, op.6: 2. Allegro giocoso
14 Bagatelles, op.6: 3. Andante
14 Bagatelles, op.6: 4. Grave
14 Bagatelles, op.6: 5. Vivo
14 Bagatelles, op.6: 6. Lento
14 Bagatelles, op.6: 7. Allegretto molto capriccioso
14 Bagatelles, op.6: 8. Andante sostenuto
14 Bagatelles, op.6: 9. Allegretto grazioso
14 Bagatelles, op.6: 10. Allegro
14 Bagatelles, op.6: 11. Allegretto molto rubato
14 Bagatelles, op.6: 12. Rubato
14 Bagatelles, op.6: 13. (Elle est morte...) Lento funebre
14 Bagatelles, op.6: 14. Valse (Ma mie qui danse...). Presto
4 Dirges, op.9a: 1. Adagio
4 Dirges, op.9a: 2. Andante
4 Dirges, op.9a: 3. Poco lento
4 Dirges, op.9a: 4. Assai andante
Petite suite, Sz.105: I. Slow tune. Lento, poco rubato
Petite suite, Sz.105: II. Walachian dance. Allegro giocoso
Petite suite, Sz.105: III. Whirling dance. Allegro
Petite suite, Sz.105: IV. Quasi Pizzicato. Allegretto
Petite suite, Sz.105: V. Ruthenian dance. Allegretto
Petite suite, Sz.105: VI. Bagpipes. Allegro molto
Songs and Dances (arr. G.Sandor): 1. Ruthenian Kolomejka. Allegro
Songs and Dances (arr. G.Sandor): 2. Marching song. Tempo di marcia
Songs and Dances (arr. G.Sandor): 3. Teasing song. Scherzando
Songs and Dances (arr. G.Sandor): 4. Arabian song. Allegro
Songs and Dances (arr. G.Sandor): 5. Transylvanian dance. Allegro moderato
Songs and Dances (arr. G.Sandor): Dedication
10 Easy Pieces, Sz.39: 1. Peasant song. Allegro moderato
10 Easy Pieces, Sz.39: 2. Frustration. Lento
10 Easy Pieces, Sz.39: 3. Slovakian boys' dance. Allegro
10 Easy Pieces, Sz.39: 4. Sostenuto
10 Easy Pieces, Sz.39: 5. Evening with Szeklers. Lento, rubato - Vivo, non rubato - Tempo I
10 Easy Pieces, Sz.39: 6. Hungarian folk song. Allegretto
10 Easy Pieces, Sz.39: 7. Dawn. Molto andante
10 Easy Pieces, Sz.39: 8. Folk song. Poco andante
10 Easy Pieces, Sz.39: 9. Five-finger exercise. Moderato
10 Easy Pieces, Sz.39: 10. Bear's dance. Allegro vivace

Tracks:

Allegro barbaro, Sz.49: 1. Tempo guisto
Out of Doors, Sz.81: 1. With drums and pipes. Pesante
Out of Doors, Sz.81: 2. Barcarolla. Andante
Out of Doors, Sz.81: 3. Musettes. Moderato
Out of Doors, Sz.81: 4. The night's music. Lento
Out of Doors, Sz.81: 5. The chase. Presto
7 Sketches, op.9b: 1. Portrait of a girl. Andante
7 Sketches, op.9b: 2. See-saw. Comodo
7 Sketches, op.9b: 3. Lento
7 Sketches, op.9b: 4. Non troppo lento
7 Sketches, op.9b: 5. Romanian folk song. Andante
7 Sketches, op.9b: 6. In the Walachian style. Allegretto
7 Sketches, op.9b: 7. Poco lento
2 Elegies, op.8b: 1. Grave
2 Elegies, op.8b: 2. Molto adagio, sempre rubato (quasi improvisando)
3 Burlesques, op.8c: 1. (Quarrel). Presto
3 Burlesques, op.8c: 2. (A bit drunk...). Allegretto
3 Burlesques, op.8c: 3. Molto vico, capriccioso
9 Little Piano Pieces, Sz.82: 1. Moderato
9 Little Piano Pieces, Sz.82: 2. Andante
9 Little Piano Pieces, Sz.82: 3. Lento
9 Little Piano Pieces, Sz.82: 4. Allegro vovace
9 Little Piano Pieces, Sz.82: 5. Menuetto. Moderato
9 Little Piano Pieces, Sz.82: 6. Air. Allegro - Meno mosso
9 Little Piano Pieces, Sz.82: 7. Marcia delle bestie. Comodo
9 Little Piano Pieces, Sz.82: 8. Tambourine. Allegro molto
9 Little Piano Pieces, Sz.82: 9. Preludio - All ungherese
Studies, op.18: 1. Allegro molto
Studies, op.18: 2. Andante sostenuto
Studies, op.18: 3. Rubato - Tempo giusto - Rubato

Customer Reviews:

Best piano cd-design ever.......2006-10-14

Oh boy, imagine yourself marketing a bloody piano cd of the complete works of Bartok.... Or even worse: imagine yourself designing its cover...

But, friends, see what happens. Maestro Sandor at the keyboard and a proper CD-designer with imagination and courage. Four CD-s in an exploding view of the grand piano, showing off the internals of the most beautifull instrument around. Thus allowing us to investigate the grand pinao ourselves:

CD1 cover: the strings of the grand piano
CD2 cover: the cast iron frame,
CD3 cover: the sound board (which shows Yamaha),
CD4 cover: than the keys, and mayor woodwork of the grand.

The front of the box giving us a view of the top lid of the grand, and the back of the box giving a beautiful sight on the bottum of the grand.

Thank you lord, and sony, for bringing us such a beautiful testimonial for the grand piano. The instrument that has been build for over 200 years, but still holds its treasures.

Not to mention Bartoks piano works, nor Gyorgy Sandors interpretation. This is a must have. Never mind the cover, you wont get any closer to Bartok with his interpretation. Bartoks writing is mesmerising, and like Kodaly a standpole in european art.

Listen to this music, admire Sandor, and spread the word: play Bartok, play the piano, and for once .... admire this CD-design.

Anthological performances!.......2006-09-28

Gyorgy Sandor established an absolute rapport during all his life with Bartok' s music. The whole spirit of the Hungarian master has been preserved with all its uniqueness, expression and unsurpassable sonority, Sandor' s phrasing simply has no parallel. He sees far beyond the score, and for all of us who had the enviable fortune to watch him twice in Caracas in the eighties, were exception witnesses about his genuine incisiveness and powerful fingering.

In case you acquire this album, I can guarantee you won' t need to worry about any other performer.

Accessible Bartok.......2000-06-26

Those who believe they know Bartok as the champion of dissonance would do well to listen to this magnificent collection of Bartok's solo piano works. As Bartok's leading pupil and confidant, Gyorgy Sandor possesses unique insight into how the master's music ought to be interpreted. The result is a transparent and accessible recording that revels in, among other things, the Hungarian and Romanian folk music that forms the basis of much of Bartok's work.

Mr. Sandor, does, in fact, know just what to do with Bartok's dissonance. Featuring Bartok's strong melodic lines, Mr. Sandor presents the dissonance as a sub-text that adds depth to but does not overwhelm the work.

Of particular note is "For Children" in the first volume, a collection of 79 short pieces based on Hungarian and Slovakian children's songs. It is performed simply and expressively,with the sensitive touch for which Mr. Sandor has been known for well over half a century.

This collection is essential for anyone who has an interest in 20th Century classical music before it went wrong.

Music Review: