Bela Bartok – String Quartet No 4 Set Of Parts Book (Urtext Edition)

Bela Bartok – String Quartet No 4 Set Of Parts Book (Urtext Edition)

“Bela Bartok – String Quartet No 4 Set Of Parts Book (Urtext Edition)” offers musicians a faithful representation of Bartok’s fourth string quartet, presented in a meticulously researched Urtext edition. Composed in the summer of 1928, this five-movement work showcases Bartok’s innovative approach to composition and his mastery of string quartet writing.

The quartet is structured around a highly expressive middle movement dominated by the cello, creating a symmetrical arrangement that enhances its emotional impact. Throughout the piece, Bartok incorporates various playing techniques, including pizzicato glissandi and his famous “Bartok pizzicato,” adding depth and texture to the music.

Originally premiered to great success in London in February 1929, this quartet was published later that year, albeit with numerous errors. In this Urtext edition, editors Lszl Somfai and Zsombor Nmeth have meticulously corrected these errors, ensuring that performers have access to an accurate and reliable representation of Bartok’s original intentions.

Additionally, footnotes drawn from Bartok’s letters provide fascinating insights into the composer’s thoughts and intentions regarding the performance of the work. Furthermore, “Notes on performance practice” offer valuable guidance on executing the Bartok pizzicato and other interpretive issues, enhancing performers’ understanding and appreciation of Bartok’s unique musical language.

With 102 pages of meticulously edited parts, “Bela Bartok – String Quartet No 4 Set Of Parts Book (Urtext Edition)” is an indispensable resource for string quartets and musicians seeking to explore and perform this masterpiece of 20th-century chamber music.

Bela Bartok:

This composer, who numbers among the most important musical figures in the first half of the twentieth century, is known principally for his research into Hungarian folk music, the elements of which he incorporated into his style. His broad oeuvre includes numerous works for orchestra, piano, and chamber ensembles, as well as choral music; songs with piano accompaniment; and an opera.