TRACKLISTING
Dance Suite, BB 86b
I Moderato
II Allegro molto
III Allegro vivace
IV Molto tranquillo
V Comodo
VI Finale

Rhapsody, op.1 (long version)

Four Piano Pieces, BB 27
I Study for the left hand
II Fantasia 1
III Fantasia 2
IV Scherzo

Marche funèbre from Kossuth, BB 31

Rhapsody, op.1 (shortened version)

RECORDING INFORMATION
This recording is the seventh and final volume of Zoltán Kocsis’s consistently acclaimed complete cycle of Bartók’s works for piano solo. Kocsis is now synonymous with the genre as the Penguin Guide (London) review (with rosette award) illustrates for us:

“Kocsis penetrates to the very centre or soul of this music more deeply than almost any other rival. He is scrupulously attentive to Bartók’s own wishes as shown not only in autographs and revised editions of the published scores but as expressed on record. Kocsis can produce power and drama when required, but he also commands a wide-ranging palette and a marvellously controlled vitality … This is likely to be the classic set for a long time to come, and the recorded sound is altogether natural and realistic.”

Kocsis is a key figure in Hungarian musical life. He co-founded the Budapest Festival Orchestra with Iván Fischer and has been appointed General Music Director of the Hungarian Philharmonic Orchestra.

Naturally, he is passionate about Hungary’s greatest composer, Béla Bartók. As well as a memorable tour to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the composer’s death (1995), Kocsis’s work for this ambitious series has involved in-depth study of the composer’s scores (some previously forgotten) and recordings.

The CD series has also been well received for its informed notes by Professor Laszlo Somfai and each disc includes an explanation of the “BB number system”.