Bluebeard

Available for 29 days

Bartók recovers from romantic rejection. Béla Bartók was regarded as one of Hungary’s greatest composers. His fellow countryman, the pianist Andras Schiff, called him “one of the giants in the history of music.” But he was also one of the founders of what we now call ethnomusicology, spending much of his time immersed in peasant life, collecting folk songs. As around him Europe was torn apart by conflict, Bartók found relief in rural life and took inspiration from these traditional tunes, incorporating them into his own compositions. In today's programme, Donald finds out who would provide a salve for Bartók's heartache. 7 Sketches, BB 54, Sz. 44 Dejan Lazic, piano Duke Bluebeard's Castle, Sz. 48, Op. 11 Szilvia Vörös, mezzo-soprano Mika Kares, bass Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Susanna Mälkki Duke Bluebeard's Castle, Sz. 48, Op. 11 Gábor Bretz, bass Rinat Shaham, soprano Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Karina Canellakis Four Dirges, Op. 9a Kabi Laretei, piano Produced by Alice McKee for BBC Audio Wales & West