Bartók, Béla: Rhapsody No.1 op. BB94b (1928, rev.1929) 11'
Transcription by Bartok for violin and orchestra (1928-29)

Scoring
2(II=picc).2.2(II=bcl).2(II=dbn)-2.2.1.1-timp.perc:tgl- cimbalom(harp and pft)-strings

World Premiere
11/1/1929
Königsberg
József Szigeti, violin / Hermann Scherchen


Repertoire Note  
Available in a variety of authorized versions, the First Rhapsody, and its Second companion, provide further examples of the slow-fast movement pairings very popular in Bartók’s earlier years. These Rhapsodies’ orchestral versions can interchange on programmes with the somewhat more extensive Two Portraits or Two Pictures.

Note by Malcolm Gillies