One of Bartók’s most popular symphonic works is his Concerto for Orchestra. Rafael Kubelik’s fabulous recording of it has long been out of the catalogue and is now restored to circulation at budget price. What’s more, it’s the first recording of the piece made by the orchestra for which it was written. Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony premiered the work in December 1944 and it wasn’t until nearly 30 years later, in November 1973, that the orchestra recorded it for the first time – in Boston’s Symphony Hall, with Kubelik conducting. The Viola Concerto was commissioned by William Primrose, who did much to advocate the piece. Sadly, Bartók died before he could complete the work or meet with Primrose at a sufficiently advanced stage of the concerto’s composition in order to discuss it. Tibor Serly completed the work and Primrose premiered it in 1949. This is the first release on CD of the Deutsche Grammophon recording of the piece with Daniel Benyamini, for long the leader of the viola section of the Israel Philharmonic as soloist with Daniel Barenboim conducting.
BELA BARTÓK
Concerto for Orchestra, Sz 116**
Viola Concerto, Op. posth.*
* FIRST RELEASE ON CD
Boston Symphony Orchestra**
Rafael Kubelik**
Daniel Benyamini, viola
Orchestre de Paris*
Daniel Barenboim*
‘This is a performance to keep making you smile with delight … Kubelik presents a relaxed view with the rhythms pointed to bring out the wit, above all the peasant-like jollity … The DG recording is warm and atmospheric but equally has good inner detail’ Gramophone [Concerto for Orchestra]
‘the committed performance here by soloist and conductor shows the concerto in the best possible light; and the slow movement is really touching’ Gramophone [Viola Concerto]