First Rhapsody, Sz. 88 for cello and piano by Bela Bartok
Published by Boosey & Hawkes
Bela Bartok (1881-1945) was one of Hungary's greatest composers and one of the most outstanding composers of the 20th century. He was a committed modernist, applying the contrapuntal rigor of Bach and Brahms to the broader tonal sensibilities of Debussy and Schoenberg. He was also one of the first ethnomusicologists; he recorded folk music across Eastern Europe with fellow composer Zoltan Kodaly, later incorporating folk song into his own music. He wrote much in the way for strings, including string quartets, concertos, and folk suites.
Bartok wrote his pair of rhapsodies for violin and piano in 1928 for Joseph Szigeti and Zoltan Szekely, arranging them for orchestra the following year. Both works are heavily indebted to Eastern-European fiddle playing and are based on folksong melodies. They are set in paired slow-fast movements evoking the Hungarian verbunkos dance. The resulting music retains the earthy vernacular of folk traditions as well as the virtuosic sophistication of the concert performer. This arrangement of Rhapsody No. 1, Sz. 88 for cello and piano was made by the composer. Master level, Grade 6.
