Composer

:

Béla Bartók

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Concerto

Compose Date

:

1943 - 1945

Average_duration

:

38:16

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Béla Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra, Sz. 116, is a five-movement orchestral work that was composed in 1943. The piece was commissioned by the Koussevitzky Music Foundation and premiered by the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Serge Koussevitzky on December 1, 1944. The first movement, "Introduzione," begins with a somber and mysterious theme played by the low strings. The theme is then passed around the orchestra, building in intensity until it reaches a climax. The movement ends with a return to the original theme, played softly by the clarinet. The second movement, "Giuoco delle coppie," is a playful scherzo that features various pairs of instruments engaging in a call-and-response dialogue. The movement is characterized by its rhythmic complexity and use of folk-inspired melodies. The third movement, "Elegia," is a slow and mournful piece that features a solo for the principal oboe. The movement is marked by its use of dissonant harmonies and haunting melodies. The fourth movement, "Intermezzo interrotto," is a lively and energetic scherzo that is interrupted by a series of abrupt pauses. The movement features a prominent role for the percussion section and is characterized by its use of Hungarian folk rhythms. The final movement, "Finale," is a triumphant and celebratory piece that brings the concerto to a rousing conclusion. The movement features a series of variations on a folk-inspired theme and showcases the virtuosity of the entire orchestra. Overall, Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra is a masterful showcase of orchestral color and virtuosity. The piece is characterized by its use of folk-inspired melodies and rhythms, as well as its innovative use of orchestration and harmony. It remains one of Bartók's most popular and frequently performed works.

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