Classical Music | Piano Music

Recorded on 03/11/2008, uploaded on 01/26/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Three Studies, Op. 18                Bela Bartók

Bela Bartók is often thought of as Hungary's national composer since he used so many traditional songs and melodies in his compositions. With the Three Studies op.18 for piano, Bartók launched into his most radical, Expressionist phase (1918-22), during which he believed he was approaching some kind of atonal goal. In his essay 'Das Problem der neuen Musik' he referred to Schoenberg, and recognized the need 'for the equality of rights of the individual 12 tones'; he drew examples of the 'previously undreamt-of wealth of transitory nuances [now] at our disposal' from his own opp.18 and 19.      Hayk Arsenyan

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.