Modern music: Bartók

Bartók is very well-known, so I will not give much in the way of elaboration here. He is also the last composer I have added to this listing. After a span of about a decade, I have come to find myself wanting to listen to Bartók's music again, hence this listing. I still have the same concerns: Although he has some great "ingredients," it never seems as though any one works end up being something I deeply enjoy. However, I enjoy the jagged & aggressive style at times, and find that it fills a certain niche in my musical life.

I have particularly enjoyed the piano concerti recently, in a new recording:

Bartok: The Piano Concertos

Zimerman / Andsnes / Grimaud / Chicago Symphony Orchestra / Berliner Philharmoniker / London Symphony Orchestra - Pierre Boulez
Deutsche Grammophon B0003885

The quartets cannot be ignored, and remain perhaps the most significant of the mid-20th century. A quality performance:

Bartók: The 6 String Quartets

Takács Quartet
London 455 297 (2 CDs)

I do not expect this listing to grow, although I might eventually swap performances.

Back to Modern music page.