Bartok - Concerto for Orchestra

Many things to be learned in the matter of orchestration from this piece. The first movement probably contains some of my favorite musical moments of all time (like that brass fugue). But yeah, all of it is great. A popular piece already but still worth mentioning.

I watched the 1st movement of it on youtube. Have played a bit of Bartok on piano, but haven't heard any orchestral stuff. What makes it a concerto if their is no main instrument? Wouldn't it be a symphony then?

Anyhow, it was interesting, but not as dissonant as I was expecting being Bartok. Will have to listen to the rest sometime.

What makes it a concerto if their is no main instrument? Wouldn't it be a symphony then?

OMG!! Your gr8!! Bartok named it that CUZ HE WAS INGNORENT!! ...Actually, (and this should be obvious) he titled it ''concerto for orchestra'' because each section of instruments is given a soloistic treatment.

It's very sexy music.. As a composer, you can't help but smile at some of the moments of brilliant orchestration. :w00t: I particularly like the finale - it renders you unable to sit still. :toothygrin:

OMG!! Your gr8!! Bartok named it that CUZ HE WAS INGNORENT!! ...Actually, (and this should be obvious) he titled it ''concerto for orchestra'' because each section of instruments is given a soloistic treatment.

It's very sexy music.. As a composer, you can't help but smile at some of the moments of brilliant orchestration. :w00t: I particularly like the finale - it renders you unable to sit still. :toothygrin:

This post seems unnecessary, no need to flame. I'm assuming finrod is younger and just didn't know. No big deal.

Yeah thanks for the flames. :sadtears:

Sorry for being ignorant, but I mostly stick to piano music. Don't have much knowledge of orchestral stuff. And no, most likely I am not younger :blush: I am actually quite old... just returning to dabbling in music after a bit of a hiatus due to work commitments.

The second movement is awesome. I intend to study it in full before starting another orchestral piece :D

Yeah thanks for the flames. :sadtears:

Sorry for being ignorant, but I mostly stick to piano music. Don't have much knowledge of orchestral stuff. And no, most likely I am not younger :blush: I am actually quite old... just returning to dabbling in music after a bit of a hiatus due to work commitments.

Understandable, we all come from different backgrounds here which I respect of course. But yeah, I'm not sure when the "Concerto for Orchestra" (meaning the entire ensemble being giving soloistic and virtuosic potential) genre started. Bartok's was probably one of the first, but there have been quite a few others written in the past century, most notably Jennifer Higdon's and Luotoslawski's.

If I remember correctly, since I don't have the score with me and it was quite a long time ago when I looked at it, Bartok mentioned that the "concerto for orchestra" treats each section of the orchestra in a concertante manner, like soloists, and thus the name. He is not concetrating on a single insturment, but sections and in different sections for different parts of the music.

Great piece of music! :) GREAT!

Bartok's concerto for orchestra is a real masterpiece, from beginning to end. I think it has influenced the whole orchestral repertoire of the 20th century -- i think it is the "grandfather" of many other orchestral concertos, for one thing. (Do you? :))

This piece is awesome. If you get a chance, listen to Bernstein's interpretation--he really had a knack for 20th century pieces, and this is no exception. The finale (with the perpetual motion and everything) is absolutely incredible and the swell at the end with the wavey woodwinds and strings just leads up to the big three chords near the end. Shivers every time.

This piece is awesome. If you get a chance, listen to Bernstein's interpretation--he really had a knack for 20th century pieces, and this is no exception. The finale (with the perpetual motion and everything) is absolutely incredible and the swell at the end with the wavey woodwinds and strings just leads up to the big three chords near the end. Shivers every time.

I only have the Bernstein recording of the Finale :(. It's definitely my favorite though, moreso than the CSO recording I have which is still phenomenal

Got a miniature score from school today - some bedtime reading :D

We have loads of scores at school, none of which are ever used. It sucks :(

Yummy.

Got a miniature score from school today - some bedtime reading :D

We have loads of scores at school, none of which are ever used. It sucks :(

Well I don't think there are any high school orchestras that could play this...maybe the top really good ones which I know exist can touch it. Otherwise, definitely not.

Well I don't think there are any high school orchestras that could play this...maybe the top really good ones which I know exist can touch it. Otherwise, definitely not.

Good call mark :)

OMG!! Your gr8!! Bartok named it that CUZ HE WAS INGNORENT!! ...Actually, (and this should be obvious) he titled it ''concerto for orchestra'' because each section of instruments is given a soloistic treatment.

It's very sexy music.. As a composer, you can't help but smile at some of the moments of brilliant orchestration. :w00t: I particularly like the finale - it renders you unable to sit still. :toothygrin:

Hahaha, those buffoons who don't realize when each section is given soloistic treatment! What simpletons! Ho ho ho! What pitiful musical intellect!

Hahaha, those buffoons who don't realize when each section is given soloistic treatment! What simpletons! Ho ho ho! What pitiful musical intellect!

Thankfully, there are always geniuses who were born knowing everything... :glare:

That came out more snobby and disrespectful than I intended. I almost feel like saying ''I'm sorry'', but not quite. :P

That come out more snobby and disrespectful than I intended. I almost feel like saying ''I'm sorry'', but not quite. :P

If you don't say sorry I shall smite thee with the holy hand grenade!!

Seriously guys, the brass fugue in movement 1!

And the brass chorale type bit in the second movement :w00t: