Bartók and His World
“Bartók and His World” by Peter Laki, published by Princeton University Press in August 1995, offers an in-depth exploration of the life and legacy of Béla Bartók, a prominent twentieth-century composer. This 314-page volume aims to provide English-speaking audiences with insights into Bartók’s life, particularly his experiences in Hungary and the United States, where he spent his final years. The book features a collection of essays that contextualize Bartók’s work within historical and cultural frameworks, shedding light on his reception in both Hungary and America.
Readers will find a diverse range of essays that delve into various aspects of Bartók’s life and music. The first part includes contributions from notable scholars, discussing topics such as Bartók’s historical significance, his catalog of works, and his relationships with librettists. The second part focuses on Bartók’s travels and emigration, reflecting on how these experiences influenced his artistic development. Finally, the third part presents early critical assessments and literary responses to his music, providing a comprehensive view of Bartók’s impact on the classical music landscape. This edition is presented in English and is suitable for those interested in music history and biography.
Official synopsis Publisher
Béla Bartók, who died in New York fifty years ago this September, is one of the most frequently performed twentieth-century composers. He is also the subject of a rapidly growing critical and analytical literature. Bartók was born in Hungary and made his home there for all but his last five years, when he resided in the United States. As a result, many aspects of his life and work have been accessible only to readers of Hungarian. The main goal of this volume is to provide English-speaking audiences with new insights into the life and reception of this musician, especially in Hungary.
Part I begins with an essay by Leon Botstein that places Bartók in a large historical and cultural context. László Somfai reports on the catalog of Bartók’s works that is currently in progress. Peter Laki shows the extremes of the composer’s reception in Hungary, while Tibor Tallián surveys the often mixed reviews from the American years. The essays of Carl Leafstedt and Vera Lampert deal with his librettists Béla Balázs and Melchior Lengyel respectively. David Schneider addresses the artistic relationship between Bartók and Stravinsky.
Most of the letters and interviews in Part II concern Bartók’s travels and emigration as they reflected on his personal life and artistic evolution. Part III presents early critical assessments of Bartók’s work as well as literary and poetic responses to his music and personality.
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