Bartók: Works for Violin and Piano, Vol. 3 James Ehnes, Michael Collins, Amy Schwartz Moretti, Andrew Armstrong

• Béla Bartók (1881 - 1945): Contrasts, BB 116, Sz. 111:
• 1 Bartók: Contrasts, BB 116, Sz. 111: I. Verbunkos (Recruiting Dance). Moderato, ben ritmato 05:05
• 2 Bartók: Contrasts, BB 116, Sz. 111: II. Pheno (Relaxation). Lento 04:27
• 3 Bartók: Contrasts, BB 116, Sz. 111: III. Sebes (Fast Dance). Allegro vivace 06:42
• Sonatina, BB 102a, Sz. 55:
• 4 Bartók: Sonatina, BB 102a, Sz. 55: I. Dudások (Cornemuses/Bagpipes). Allegretto - Allegro 01:31
• 5 Bartók: Sonatina, BB 102a, Sz. 55: II. Medvetánc (Danse de l'ours/Bear Dance). Moderato 00:40
• 6 Bartók: Sonatina, BB 102a, Sz. 55: III. Finale. Allegro vivace - Sostenuto - Tempo I - Sostenuto molto 02:08
• Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98:
• 7 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 1, Párositó (Martchmaking Song) 00:59
• 8 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 2, Kalamajkó (Maypole Dance) 00:41
• 9 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 3, Menuetto 01:01
• 10 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 4, Szentivánéji (Summer Solstice Song) 00:53
• 11 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 5, Tót nóta I (Slovakian Song I) 00:59
• 12 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 6, Magyar nóta I (Hungarian Song I) 00:56
• 13 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 7, Oláh nóta (Romanian Song ) 00:47
• 14 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 8, Tót nóta II (Slovakian Song II) 00:57
• 15 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 9, Játék (Play Song) 00:45
• 16 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 10, Rutén nóta (Ruthenian Song) 01:05
• 17 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 11, Gyermekrengetéskor (Cradle Song) 01:17
• 18 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 12, Szénegüjtéskor (Hay-gathering Song) 00:56
• 19 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 13, Lakodalmas (Wedding Song) 01:31
• 20 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 14, Párnás tánc (Pillow Dance) 00:57
• 21 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 15, Katonanóta (Soldiers' Song) 01:03
• 22 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 16, Burleszk (Burlesque) 00:59
• 23 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 17, Menetelö nóta I (Hungarian March I) 00:46
• 24 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 18, Menetelö nóta II (Hungarian March II) 00:46
• 25 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 19, Mese (A Fairy Tale) 01:08
• 26 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 20, Dal (Alternating Song) 01:28
• 27 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 21, Ujévköszöntö I (New Year's Greeting I) 02:08
• 28 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 22, Szunyogtánc (Mosquito Dance) 00:42
• 29 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 23, Menyasszonybúcsúztató (Farewell to the Bride) 01:21
• 30 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 24, Tréfás nóta (Jeering Song) 00:45
• 31 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 25, Magyar nóta II (Hungarian Song II) 00:57
• 32 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 26, Ugyan édes komámasszony… (Teasing Song) 00:30
• 33 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 27, Sánta-tánc (Limping Dance) 00:34
• 34 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 28, Bánkódás (Sorrow) 02:19
• 35 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 29, Ujévköszöntö II (New Year's Greeting II) 00:44
• 36 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 30, Ujévköszöntö III (New Year's Greeting III) 00:52
• 37 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 31, Ujévköszöntö IV (New Year's Greeting IV) 00:42
• 38 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 32 Máramarosi tánc (Dance from Máramaros), Allegro giocoso 00:44
• 39 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 33, Aratáskor (Harvest Song) 01:31
• 40 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 34, Számláló nóta (Enumerating Song) 00:58
• 41 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 35, Rutén kolomejka (Ruthenian kolomeika) 01:04
• 42 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 36, Szól a duda (Bagpipes) 00:56
• 43 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No 36a, Szol a duda -2 Változata (Bagpipes - 2nd Variation) 01:05
• 44 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 37, Preludium és kánon (Prelude and Canon) 02:41
• 45 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 38, Forgatós (Rumanian Whirling Dance) 00:42
• 46 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 39, Szerb tánc (Serbian Dance) 00:50
• 47 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 40, Oláh tánc (Walachian Dance) 00:50
• 48 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 41, Scherzo 00:52
• 49 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 42, Arab dal (Arabian Song) 01:17
• 50 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 43, Pizzicato 01:14
• 51 Bartók: Forty-four Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98: No, 44, Erdélyi tánc (Transylvanian Dance) 01:51
• Total Runtime 01:08:36

Info for Bartók: Works for Violin and Piano, Vol. 3

James Ehnes presents his third disc of chamber works by Bartók. The previous volumes have, along with his outstanding concerto disc, established his formidable reputation as a Bartók interpreter. Here Ehnes is joined by the pianist Andrew Armstrong, violinist Amy Schwartz Moretti, and Michael Collins, one of the world’s leading clarinettists.

The Sonatina, originally composed in 1915 for piano, was based on melodies which Bartók had collected during expeditions in Transylvania. The transcription for violin and piano heard here was produced ten years later by a young student of Bartók’s, Endre Gertler.

Bartók composed Contrasts in 1938 for the jazz clarinettist Benny Goodman and violinist Joseph Szigeti, who originally had requested a work in two movements, each with a cadenza for one of the featured instruments. Fulfilling this request, Bartók added a central slow movement, entitled ‘Pihenő’ (Relaxation). The opening movement, ‘Verbunkos’, alludes to a march-like Hungarian military recruiting dance. The finale, entitled ‘Sebes’ (Quick), is a lively romp at the heart of which lies an unexpected episode of haunting calmness.

Besides writing for such outstanding musicians as Szigeti and Goodman, Bartók composed a lot of music for students, including the Forty-four Duos for two violins recorded here. These short pieces take material from a remarkably wide array of folk traditions and interlink the styles and culture of diverse peoples.

"James Ehnes and Amy Schwartz Moretti make the best possible case for experiencing the entire cycle in one whole sweep. They maximise the amount of colour that can be squeezed out of the simplest two-part writing and sustain vibrant musical dialogue throughout. More importantly, both artists manage to encapsulate an amazing variety of moods." (BBC Music Magazine)

"James Ehnes and Amy Schwartz Moretti are fully the equal of even their most illustrious rivals, their playing varied and characterful enough to make listening to any of the four books of Duos at a single sitting a real pleasure. A lovely programme." (Gramophone Magazine)

James Ehnes, violin
Andrew Armstrong, piano
Michael Collins, clarinet
Amy Schwartz Moretti, violin

James Ehnes
Known for his virtuosity and probing musicianship, violinist James Ehnes has performed in over 30 countries on five continents, appearing regularly in the world’s great concert halls and with many of the most celebrated orchestras and conductors.

In the 2013-2014 season James performs in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Russia, Israel, Belgium, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Australia. Season highlights include concerts with the Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Toronto Symphony, and a three-week residency in Melbourne, as well as performances in London, Paris, Berlin, Leipzig, Brussels, Prague, Tel Aviv, and Moscow. An avid chamber musician, Ehnes will tour with his string quartet, the Ehnes Quartet, and lead the winter and summer festivals of the Seattle Chamber Music Society, where he is the Artistic Director.

James Ehnes has an extensive discography of over 30 recordings featuring music ranging from J.S. Bach to John Adams. Recent projects include a disc featuring concertos by Britten and Shostakovich, three CDs of the music of Béla Bartók as well as a recording of Tchaikovsky’s complete oeuvre for violin. Upcoming releases include a double CD of the complete violin works by Prokofiev and a recording of Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto paired with Shostakovich’s String Quartets Nos. 7&8. His recordings have been honored with many international awards and prizes, including a Grammy, a Gramophone, and 7 Juno Awards.

was born in 1976 in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. He began violin studies at the age of four, and at age nine became a protégé of the noted Canadian violinist Francis Chaplin. He studied with Sally Thomas at the Meadowmount School of Music and from 1993 to 1997 at The Juilliard School, winning the Peter Mennin Prize for Outstanding Achievement and Leadership in Music upon his graduation. Mr. Ehnes first gained national recognition in 1987 as winner of the Grand Prize in Strings at the Canadian Music Competition. The following year he won the First Prize in Strings at the Canadian Music Festival, the youngest musician ever to do so. At age 13, he made his major orchestral solo debut with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal.

He has won numerous awards and prizes, including the first-ever Ivan Galamian Memorial Award, the Canada Council for the Arts’ Virginia Parker Prize, and a 2005 Avery Fisher Career Grant. James has been honoured by Brandon University with a Doctor of Music degree (honoris causa) and in 2007 he became the youngest person ever elected as a Fellow to the Royal Society of Canada. In 2010 the Governor General of Canada appointed James a Member of the Order of Canada, and in 2013 he was named an Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Music, limited to a select group of 300 living distinguished musicians.

James Ehnes plays the "Marsick" Stradivarius of 1715. He currently lives in Bradenton, Florida with his family.

This album contains no booklet.