Kossuth (Bartók)

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Kossuth, Sz. 75a, BB 31, is a symphonic poem by Béla Bartók inspired by the Hungarian politician Lajos Kossuth.

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[edit] Musical Background

The music of Richard Strauss was an early influence on Bartók, who was studying at the Budapest Royal Academy of Music when he encountered the symphonic poems of Strauss, Also sprach Zarathustra and Ein Heldenleben. Bartók was present in the 1902 Budapest premiere of Also sprach Zarathustra, where he met Strauss in person.

Bartók first made a piano reduction of Ein Heldenleben. He then went on to compose his own symphonic poem Kossuth completing the piano score by spring of 1903 and the orchestral version in summer of 1903 in Gmunden in Austria.

Bartók imbued his own composition with Hungarian colour, using elements from Franz Liszt's style.

[edit] Historical Background

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The composition refers to the hero of the Hungarian revolution of 1848 Lajos Kossuth.

[edit] Analysis

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The music relates the story of Kossuth, starting with a portrait of him, then painting a picture of the Austrians approaching by using a minor key parody of the Austrian national anthem, the ensuing battle and defeat of the Hungarians. The piece is in ten movements and lasts around twenty minutes.

[edit] Performance History

Bartók showed the piano score of the piece to conductor Hans Richter. This prompted a promise of performance with the orchestra Richter directed at the time, The Hallé, which resulted in the orchestral version.

However, the piece was premiered in Budapest on January 13, 1904. It was premiered in Manchester in February. The piece caused a sensation at its Budapest premiere.

[edit] References

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