The music on this disc is a collection of compositions from Central Europe. Some of the composers, like Bartok (Hungary), Dvorak (Czechoslovakia) and Martinu (Czechoslovakia), made a point of studying their local folk traditions and incorporating folk elements in their music. Bartok uses genuine folk themes in his "Hungarian Folk Suite", while Dvorak and Martinu make use of original themes that have a folk sound. Martinu also uses the irregular meter and cadences of the Czech folk melodies. The selections by Enescu (Romania) and Dohnanyi (Hungary) are more international in flavor. The Dohnanyi Aria has a typical Romantic sound - focusing on lush harmonies in the piano, which support the soulful melody in the flute. Enesco is such a cosmopolitan composer, that the Cantabile and Presto is included in a selection of works by French composers, and is performed regularly as an exam piece at the Paris Conservatoire.
Sample the CD
High Quality Tracks Low Quality Tracks
(Better quality sound) (Faster Download)
Bartok, Scherzo Bartok, Scherzo
Dvorak, Allegro (excerpt) Dvorak, Allegro (excerpt)
