From the CSO’s Archives: The First 130 Years

Bartók & Boulez

March 23, 2021 — 1 hr 45 min listen

Béla Bartók at Rambleside, Fritz and Carlotta Reiner's summer home in Westport, Connecticut (ca. 1941)

Fritz Reiner

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra gave the U.S. premiere of Bartók’s Second Piano Concerto in 1939, and two years later, the composer was soloist in the same work in his only appearances with the ensemble. Honoring the birthdays of both Bartók (March 25) and former principal guest conductor Pierre Boulez (March 26), this program continues with The Miraculous Mandarin and the Second Violin Concerto featuring Gil Shaham.

Bartók Piano Concerto No. 2
Claudio Abbado conductor
Maurizio Pollini piano
February 1977 (Deutsche Grammophon)

Bartók The Miraculous Mandarin
Pierre Boulez conductor
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Duain Wolfe director
December 1994 (Deutsche Grammophon)

Bartók Hungarian Sketches
Pierre Boulez conductor
December 1993 (Deutsche Grammophon)

Bartók Violin Concerto No. 2
Pierre Boulez conductor
Gil Shaham violin
December 1998 (Deutsche Grammophon)

From the CSO’s Archives: The First 130 Years—featuring recordings from the CSO’s vast discography, including releases on CSO Resound—is a cultural and community partnership between the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association and WFMT, Chicago’s Classical Music Station.

FTA130-27