Composer

:

Béla Bartók

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Concerto

Compose Date

:

1945

Average_duration

:

21:46

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Béla Bartók's Viola Concerto, Sz. 120, was completed by Tibor Serly in 1949, three years after Bartók's death. The concerto was commissioned by the Hungarian violist William Primrose, who had previously worked with Bartók on his Sonata for Solo Violin. However, Bartók was unable to complete the work due to his deteriorating health and financial difficulties. The Viola Concerto is divided into three movements, with a total duration of approximately 22 minutes. The first movement, marked Moderato, begins with a haunting melody played by the solo viola, accompanied by pizzicato strings. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the viola exploring a range of expressive techniques, including double stops and glissandi. The movement ends with a return to the opening theme, played softly by the soloist. The second movement, marked Adagio religioso, is a somber and introspective meditation on the theme of death. The viola plays a mournful melody, accompanied by a sparse and atmospheric orchestration. The movement is notable for its use of microtonal intervals, which create a sense of unease and dissonance. The final movement, marked Allegro vivace, is a lively and energetic dance, with a folk-like character. The viola plays a virtuosic solo, accompanied by a lively and rhythmic orchestration. The movement is characterized by its use of irregular meters and syncopated rhythms, which give the music a sense of unpredictability and excitement. The Viola Concerto is a deeply personal work, reflecting Bartók's struggles with illness and financial hardship in the final years of his life. The music is characterized by its use of folk melodies and rhythms, as well as its exploration of new and unconventional techniques. The concerto is considered one of the most important works in the viola repertoire, and a testament to Bartók's enduring legacy as one of the most innovative and influential composers of the 20th century.

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