Béla Bartók (1881-1945) – String quartet no.3 (1927)
- 1. Prima parte (moderato), 2. Seconda parte (Allegro), 3. Ricapitulazione della prima parte (Moderato), 4. Coda (Allegro molto)
Performed by: Ragazze Quartet
Béla Bartók (1881-1945) – String quartet no.4 (1928)
- 1. Allegro con sordino, 2. Prestissimo, con sordino, 3. Non troppo lento, 4. Allegretto pizzicato, 5. Allegro molto
Performed by: Orpheus Quartet
Zoltán Kodály(1882-1967) – String Quartet No.2, opus 10 (1916/18)
- 2. Andante: Quasi recitativo – (3.) Allegro giocoso
Performed by: Kodaly Quartet
Bartók’s Third String Quartet is structured as a single-movement composition. There are almost no vocal melodies in the entire quartet. The nature music that is so characteristic of Bartók is striking; the atmosphere is nocturnal, tranquil, with numerous references to the sounds of insects, birds, yes, even the sound of silence.
The five-part Fourth String Quartet complements the Third perfectly. The structure is at least as elaborate and ingenious. The night music is placed in the heart of the piece, as tenuous and transparent as can only be imagined on land.
With a scherzo-like part on either side, and around it the first and last parts. In addition, the second and third movements of Kodály’s Second String Quartet will be played.
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