Bela Bartok (1881 - 1945) Contrasts I Verbunkos II Piheno III Sebes Benny Goodman, clarinetto Joseph Szigeti, violino Bela Bartok, piano New York, 1940
Benny Goodman commissioned Bela Bartok to write this remarkable composition in 1938. When Bartok settled in the United States in 1940, he was able to participate in Columbia Records' world premiere recording of the music. I find this an interesting contrast of Hungarian folk music and American jazz, which was likely Bartok's intention. We know Bartok loved jazz and he found a way to utilize his interests in some of our most popular music.
