BB 96, Sz.89 II. Rapszódia hegedűre és zongorára/Second Rhapsody for Violin and Piano (1928, rev. 1945)

Béla Bartók (born Bartók Béla Viktor János) (1881-1945) is one of the most important composers of the earlier half of the 20th century. His works can be divided roughly into four periods, each with unique colors. The first period is reminiscent of Strauss and Wagner, in a late romantic idiom. The second period utilizes folk music and modern harmonies reminiscent of Schoenberg and Debussy. The third is characterized by mathematical elements and conquest for unique harmony. The last period is characterized by the simplification of textures. His best-known works include the second violin concerto, six string quartets, second piano concerto, concerto for orchestra, and music for strings, percussion, and celesta.

The two violin rhapsodies were prepared as a surprise present to two of the violinists close to Bartók, Joseph Szigeti and Zoltán Székely. According to Székely, Bartók suddenly approached him, showing this and the second rhapsody, telling him to choose one that he likes. He chose No.2, and therefore, Szigeti got the other one.

It is made up of 2 movements, but it is also possible to play each movement separately. There isn’t much to talk about the structure, since like the first rhapsody, the main premise is to display the folk melodies in its original form, without much variation.

(0:00) Mov.1 - First melody
(2:31) Second melody, more passionate.
(3:12) First melody return
(4:20) Mov.2 - First melody, with ornaments.
(5:16) Another melody
(6:15) Another melody
(6:41) Another melody
(7:23) Another melody
(7:53) Another melody
(8:38) Another melody
(9:21) Another melody
(9:56) Coda, based on the previous melody.

Source: English/Hungarian Wikipedia, prefaces from Henle Urtext editions, Vera Lampert - Folk Music in Bartók's Compositions, original research

Recording by James Ehnes, Andrew Armstrong

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