Sonata for Solo Violin, Sz. 117 (urtext, P. Bartok) by Bela Bartok
Urtext edition by Peter Bartok and Nelson Dellamaggiore. 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 to his own forward-thinking, bold music. 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's late masterpiece, the Sonata for Solo Violin, Sz. 117 (1944), was commissioned by Yehudi Menuhin. It seamlessly combines his interest complex counterpoint and the music of Bach with his modernist tendencies and dedication to folk music. The first movement is a substantial chaconne with Hungarian folk harmonies. It is followed by a challenging and inventive fugue. The Melodia follows, with a lyrical melody presented in various intervallic forms. The Presto finale alternates between a cheerful melody and striking, colorful passages of microtonality. Menuhin requested changes to the work, including the elimination of the microtones; for many years, this Menuhin version was performed. This urtext edition by Peter Bartok and Nelson Dellamaggiore reverts Menuhin's changes and restores the piece's original sound. Master level, Grade 6.
