Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra : Understanding Bartok's World (Monuments of Western Music)

Bela Bartok's compositions feature among the major artistic achievements of the 20th century. This accessible text discusses the music of the "Concerto for Orchestra" in detail, and provides the background in which Bartok created this major composition. Arranged in two parts, the book provides an extensive discussion of Bartok's musical language, and highlights the influence of folk and art music sources on his compositions. Suchoff traces Bartok's development as a composer from his early days at the Budapest Academy of Music to his later life, including a discussion of his influence on modern composition. Secondly, the author discusses the specific influences which led to the creation of the concerto. He examines each of the piece's five movements, closely analyzing numerous musical examples. Finally, Suchoff relates the significance of the composition to the whole of Bartok's oeuvre. Read more