Search - Bela Bartok :: Bartók: 44 Duos for Two Violins; String Quartets 1 & 2

Bartok, the minimalist

Bruce Hodges | New York, NY | 09/02/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It was a delight getting reacquainted with the 44 Duos for two violins, a set of delightful miniatures, most of which are only 30 seconds to a minute long. Given one of the inherent problems -- how to maintain musical interest using only two instruments with the same timbre -- Bartok solved it magnificently. These little gems pack in a great deal of contrapuntal and rhythmic interest, but nevertheless are still playable by mid-level or even beginning violinists.



But Alberto Lysy and Sandor Vegh are no "beginning violinists," and it is marvelous to hear experts give these pieces the royal treatment. One can almost listen to all 44 straight through, which is quite surprising. (You'd think the sound would wear on the ear, but I didn't find this the case.) Lysy and Vegh dig into these studies with gusto, emphasizing their robust folk origins, and the results have power and more than a little humor. Other musicians might approach these with more lyricism, but the slight rawness here seems like the way to go.



The two quartets are almost a bonus, but the Vegh Quartet is much admired in these. (Seek out the comments on their complete set of all six quartets.) The sound quality (on Naive) is good -- perhaps slightly dry and close-up, but it works with the material.



To date, this is the only recording of the Duos I've heard, and although I'd be delighted to explore others, this CD has given me much pleasure."