RCA
1993
Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra; Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta; Hungarian Sketches
About This Album
Fritz Reiner's friendship with Béla Bartók must be considered an important factor in the creation of these legendary recordings. Koussevitsky's famous commission for the Concerto for orchestra was due in large part to Reiner's advocacy, and he was among the first conductors to both perform and record this masterpiece. Beyond this, Reiner's great sympathy for his friend's work extends to the care and attention to detail he gave to the works included here. For all its virtuosity, the concerto is structurally symphonic, and Reiner ensures that the music formally coheres. He goes under the dazzling surface to touch the tragic core of the work and draws a deeply moving performance from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The Music for strings, percussion, and celesta is even more splendidly performed and recorded, and is arguably the finest recording Reiner ever made of Bartók's music. For intensity and precision, this performance has never been surpassed. The Hungarian Sketches, a lighter piece than either of the preceding works, is often excluded from RCA's other reissues, but it is a delightful bonus that makes this deluxe edition the one worth having. The sound quality of the recording is generally excellent, especially with RCA's fastidious remastering. ~ Blair Sanderson, All Music Guide
Track List

Concerto For Orchestra, Sz. 116, Bb 127
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Music For Strings, Percussion & Celesta, Sz. 106, Bb 114
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Hungarian Sketches (Magyar Képek), For Orchestra, Sz. 97, Bb 103
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