KENNETH CHALMERS

Béla Bartók's work set in the context of his homeland Hungary.Sets Béla Bartók (1881-1945) and his work in the context of his homeland Hungary and his native city Budapest, where he lived for most of his adult life Covers the full range of his work from his early explorations of the folklore of Hungary to his Third Piano Concerto composed on his deathbed in the United States Brings out the singular nature of his genius and the originality of his contribution to music Born into the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Béla Bartók (1881-1945) became a fervent nationalist, setting off with his friend Zoltán Kodály to record their native folk music: these sounds and experiences were a formative influence on his compositions. Bartók's distaste for authoritarian rule brought him into conflict with both the Hungarian government and Adolf Hitler's Germany, and in 1940 he emigrated to the United States. Despite his disillusionment and poor health, he continued to compose outstanding works there, never compromising his ideals nor losing his innocence.

Born into the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Béla Bartók (1881–1945) became a fervent nationalist, setting off with his friend Zoltán Kodály to record their native folk music; these sounds and experiences were a formative influence on his compositions. Bartók’s distaste for authoritarian rule brought him into conflict with both the Hungarian government and Adolf Hitler’s Germany, and in 1940 he emigrated to the USA. Despite his disillusionment and poor health he continued to compose outstanding works there, never compromising his ideals nor losing his innocence.