Bartók: String Quartets Nos. 5 & 6

Dive into the intricate and captivating world of Béla Bartók's late string quartets with this stunning release from SUPRAPHON. This album features two of Bartók's most profound and innovative works: String Quartet No. 5, Sz. 102, and String Quartet No. 6, Sz. 114. Composed between 1934 and 1939, these quartets showcase Bartók's unique blend of folk influences, modernist techniques, and deep musical intellect.

String Quartet No. 5, Sz. 102, is a five-movement masterpiece that explores a wide range of moods and textures. From the energetic and rhythmic "Allegro" to the haunting and introspective "Adagio molto," each movement offers a distinct musical landscape. The "Scherzo. Alla bulgarese" brings a touch of Eastern European folk music, while the "Finale. Allegro vivace" concludes the quartet with a sense of urgency and drive.

String Quartet No. 6, Sz. 114, is a more introspective work, consisting of four movements that delve into darker and more contemplative territories. The opening "Mesto. Piu mosso, pesante. Vivace" sets a somber tone, while the "Marcia" and "Burletta" movements add layers of complexity and irony. The final movement, marked "Mesto," brings the quartet to a profound and reflective close.

This album, released on November 30, 2023, offers a compelling exploration of Bartók's later style, marked by its technical demands and expressive depth. The performances capture the essence of these works, highlighting their rhythmic vitality, harmonic richness, and structural ingenuity. Whether you're a seasoned classical enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this recording provides an unparalleled opportunity to experience the genius of Béla Bartók's string quartets.

Béla Bartók, born in 1881 in Nagyszentmiklós, Hungary, was a towering figure in 20th-century music, renowned as a composer, pianist, and ethnomusicologist. His deep connection to Hungarian and Central European folk music infused his compositions with a unique and captivating flavor, making him one of Hungary's greatest composers alongside Franz Liszt. Bartók's prodigious talent was evident from a young age; by four, he could play forty tunes on the piano, and by five, he began formal piano lessons with his mother. His musical journey took him from his early studies in Pozsony to becoming a distinguished teacher at the Zeneakadémia. Bartók's extensive work in collecting and studying folk music from across Central Europe enriched his compositions, which span orchestral works, string quartets, piano solos, and vocal settings of folk songs. His legacy endures as one of the most significant contributors to classical and neoclassical music, celebrated for his innovative approach and deep cultural roots. Bartók passed away in New York in 1945, leaving behind a rich musical heritage that continues to inspire and enchant audiences worldwide.