Piano Concerto No. 3 (Bartók)

His Piano Concerto No. 3 (Sz 119) Béla Bartók wrote 1945. It was his birthday gift to his wife, the pianist Ditta Bartók. Thus, it forms a contrast to his first two piano concertos (1926 and 1930/1931 ), which he composed especially for yourself. Originally Ditta Bartók should premiere the concert in 1945 in the United States, but it was after the death of Béla Bartók in September of the same year is not capable of doing. The premiere took place on February 8, 1946 in Philadelphia under the direction of Eugene Ormandy place; The soloist was the student of Bartók, György Sándor.

Since the concert at the time of Bartók's death was still unfinished, Tibor Serly supplemented the last 17 cycles due to the sketches of the composer. Also missing from the finale, all tempo indications and most game instructions. Even the title of the second movement, Adagio religioso, goes back to Serly.

About the Music

The concert is considered artistically less appealing than the first and the virtuoso Piano Concerto No. 2, it also differs in the stylistics of the other two. In the work triads and Terzvierklänge dominate as well as fourth chords. The dissonance from time to occur are applied very cautious and the typical aggressiveness and sharpness of the sound will generally be avoided. The general tone is mild and pastoral, while also fresh. Even the tradition of music more in follow-up than in the previous piano concertos.