[aaroncort]

I really enjoy Bartok's work but am getting bured out on him for the time being. Can anybody recomend another composer that has a similar feel? Thanks, Aaron.

P.S. perhaps a recomendation of some great recordings of any of bartoks work could help too.

 

[FalconP]

I suggest starting with his piano concertos, where his folk-music roots and his avant-garde tendency stand wonderfully side-by-side. The best version I've heard is Zoltan Kocsis/Ivan Fischer/Budapest Festival Orchestra

Ivan Fischer is an expert in Bartok's orchestral work, and you can't go wrong with him. Philips has just release a 3-CD collection which I'd very much love to have.

Next, go for his 44 violin duos: wonderfully crafted minatures based on folk music.

His string quartets are, of course, widely revered, but at the same time these are regarded as "difficult music". See if you're up to the challenge. Most people recommend the version by the Takács Quartet, but there are many excellent budget-priced choices (Novak Quartet, Alban Berg Quartette, etc)

 

[gratefulshrink]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaroncort I really enjoy Bartok's work but am getting bured out on him for the time being. Can anybody recomend another composer that has a similar feel? Thanks, Aaron. P.S. perhaps a recomendation of some great recordings of any of bartoks work could help too.

About specific recordings -- I can't do that from work, but I can recommend some works: As Falconp has said, there are the string quartets. I also love the 44 violin duos. He scored two pianos and percussion both as chamber and orchestral, both are excellent. There is a sonata for solo violin.

As for composers with a similar feel, Janacek and Kodaly come immediately to mind. So does Shostokovich, at least with respect to chamber music and some of the folk-inspired works. Perhaps also Prokofiev or Lutoslawski.

 

[aaroncort]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FalconP His string quartets are, of course, widely revered, but at the same time these are regarded as "difficult music". See if you're up to the challenge. Most people recommend the version by the Takács Quartet, but there are many excellent budget-priced choices (Novak Quartet, Alban Berg Quartette, etc)

His string quartets are by leaps and bounds my favorite of his works. The only recording I have of his sting quartets are some records I found at the goodwill a number of years ago for 29 cents. They didn't have any packaging so I have no idea who the preformers are. I'll be sure to check out those names for sure. Thanks, aaron.

 

[lwd]

If you like Bartok's string quartets you should try Ligeti's 1st string quartet.

 

[Doc Sarvis]

The RCA Living Stereo/Reiner/CSO version of Concerto for Orchestra is a major classic.

 

[gratefulshrink]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lwd If you like Bartok's string quartets you should try Ligeti's 1st string quartet.

Yes, I had thought about that recommendation as well. But I think Ligeti truly starts to get into the post-War phase, and is stronget stuff. One of the reasons I've always loved the Bartok cycle is that, on the one hand, it seemed rooted in early 20th Century composition (with that element of folk music built in), but also opened the door to the whole post-War movement.

 

[gratefulshrink]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaroncort I really enjoy Bartok's work but am getting bured out on him for the time being. Can anybody recomend another composer that has a similar feel? Thanks, Aaron. P.S. perhaps a recomendation of some great recordings of any of bartoks work could help too.

Have you heard Schoenberg's srting quartets (especially the second)? You might really like that.

 

[aaroncort]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gratefulshrink Have you heard Schoenberg's srting quartets (especially the second)? You might really like that.

Yes I have and yes I do really love his string quartets.

On a side note I really wish there were binaural recodings of some of these works. It makes me want to get a recording dummy head and pull some sort of highjinks sneaking the dummyhead in ala looneytoons. I'd put the dummyhead on top of my own and have a extra long trenchcoat over it.

 

[mbhaub]

Similar? Try Boris Blacher, Zoltan Kodaly, Leos Janacek, Leo Werner, and Lazslo Lajtha for starters.

 

[zowie]

Can anyone recommend a recording of the violin duos? I played them way back when but don't think I've ever actually heard a recording of them.

 

[zowie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaroncort Yes I have and yes I do really love his string quartets. On a side note I really wish there were binaural recodings of some of these works. It makes me want to get a recording dummy head and pull some sort of highjinks sneaking the dummyhead in ala looneytoons. I'd put the dummyhead on top of my own and have a extra long trenchcoat over it.

Just mount the mics on your own ears or glasses.

 

[wower]

The classical music threads in this forum are great. They really get my head turning; lots of good ideas. Thanks all.

 

[aaroncort]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zowie Just mount the mics on your own ears or glasses.

That's acutally not too bad an idea. I beleive i actually have a compatable portable recorder compatable with condeser mics. That would be a riot if i actually pulled it off, with out getting arrested of course.

 

[majid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaroncort Can anybody recomend another composer that has a similar feel?

No one quite compares, but Zoltan Kodaly, Bohuslav Martinu, Leos Janacek and Benjamin Britten would be good starting points.