Contrasts, Rhapsody No, 1, Mikrokosmos(Slct): Bartok, Szigeti, B.Goodman

BELA BARTOK (1881-1945)

Contrasts for violin, clarinet and piano (1938), Sz. 111:
Recorded on 13th May, 1940 in New York

Rhapsody No. 1 for violin and piano (1928), Sz. 86
Recorded on 4th May, 1940 in New York

Mikrokosmos (1926-39), Sz. 107 (excerpts)
Recorded 29th-30th April, 7th and 16th May, 1940 in New York

Benny Goodman - clarinet
Joseph Szigeti - violin
Bela Bartok - piano

Producer and Audio Restoration Engineer: Mark Obert Thorn

This disc presents Bela Bartok’s complete published American Columbia recordings, made in a series of sessions in New York in April and May 1940. Although this was a time of great difficulty for the emigre composer, with the upheaval of migration, the strain of illness and several career challenges, one can only be compelled by the fire and dynamism of his playing and rewarded by his interaction with legendary violinist Joseph Szigeti and clarinetist Benny Goodman. These authoritative interpretations of his music rank among the musical treasures of the wartime discography. ( NAXOS )