Bartók, Béla: Cantata Profana (1930) 19'
for mixed choir, tenor and baritone soloists and orchestra

Music Text  
Text after Rumanian folksongs (E, G)

Scoring
3.3.3.3-4.2.3.1-timp.perc-harp-strings

Repertoire Note  
Bartók laboured over the text as well as the music of this beautiful three-movement cantata, and was well pleased with the result, as are audiences today, who find its style surprisingly mellow. It is his only work for this most extensive outlay of performers, and culminates in an ethereal short finale of exquisite manners.

Note by Malcolm Gillies