Deutsche Radio Philharmonie, Pietari Inkinen

Bartók: Divertimento for Strings, Sz. 113
Bartók: Mikrokosmos Book VI. No. 149, 6 Dances in Bulgarian Rhythm (Arr. B. Wulff for Percussion Ensemble)
Bartók: Out of Doors, Sz. 81, BB89. IV. The Night's Music (Arr. B. Wulff for Percussion Ensemble)
Bartók: Allegro barbaro, BB 63, Sz. 49
Bartók: Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta, BB 114, Sz. 106

Bartok's Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta (1936) enjoyed right from the beginning a roaring success, being praised by critics as a masterpiece. It was also the composer's last work published by Universal-Edition in Vienna. A fierce opponent of National-Socialism, he stopped co-operating with his main publisher soon after. The Divertimento (1939), though definitely not a “lightweight”, does hardly give any indication of the political circumstances and events at the time it was created. The piano works on the present recording, arranged for percussion ensemble, are in their original form miniatures whose strong rhythms almost predestinate them for percussion arrangements (Bartok himself experimented extensively with percussion instruments and was familiar with them). Pietari Inkinen is one of the noted rising stars on the international conducting scene. His comprehensive experience in both opera and symphonic repertoire enable him to shape various repertoire into powerful, convincing interpretations. As chief conductor of the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie, he achieved superb performances.