Sonya Bach - Bartók (2025)

The works on this album document the development of Bartok's aesthetics from the nationalistic late romantic style of the symphonic poem "Kossuth" and the overtly romantic Four Piano Pieces to the folk-infused Sonatina and the ebullient Piano Sonata (there are two surviving early sonatas) composed in 1926, and which is in his mature style. It exploits the instruments percussive qualities, and is relentless in it's gladiatorial, muscular energy. Sonya Bach studied with Lazar Bermann and Alicia de Larrocha and has recorded Bach concertos, Chopin Etudes, Mussorgsky and Rachmaninov for Rubicon. This is her fifth album for the label.

TRACKLIST

1. Sonya Bach - Bartók: 3 Studies for Piano, Sz. 72: I. Allegro molto
2. Sonya Bach - Bartók: 3 Studies for Piano, Sz. 72: II. Andante sostenuto
3. Sonya Bach - Bartók: 3 Studies for Piano, Sz. 72: III. Rubato
4. Sonya Bach - Bartók: Sonatina, Sz. 55: I. Dudások (Bagpipes)
5. Sonya Bach - Bartók: Sonatina, Sz. 55: II. Medvetánc (Bear Dance)
6. Sonya Bach - Bartók: Sonatina, Sz. 55: III. Finale: Allegro vivace
7. Sonya Bach - Bartók: Allegro barbaro, Sz. 49
8. Sonya Bach - Bartók: 4 Piano Pieces, Sz. 22: I. Study for the left hand
9. Sonya Bach - Bartók: 4 Piano Pieces, Sz. 22: II. Fantasy I
10. Sonya Bach - Bartók: 4 Piano Pieces, Sz. 22: III. Fantasy II
11. Sonya Bach - Bartók: 4 Piano Pieces, Sz. 22: IV. Scherzo
12. Sonya Bach - Bartók: Marche funèbre, Sz. 21
13. Sonya Bach - Bartók: Piano Sonata, Sz. 80: I. Allegro moderato
14. Sonya Bach - Bartók: Piano Sonata, Sz. 80: II. Sostenuto e pesante
15. Sonya Bach - Bartók: Piano Sonata, Sz. 80: III. Allegro molto