Bartók / Concerto for Orchestra, Sz. 116, BB 123 (Koussevitzky)

[@kerryhotopp7646]

Thanks for sharing this. I've wanted to hear Bartok's original ending for years now. I'm so glad that Koussevitsky got him to change it. It's the most underwhelming ending I think I've ever heard.

[@AndreyRubtsovRU]

I dunno, I think it still works

[@dukeofcurls3183]

this ending sounds less like a finish to a 37-minute long symphony and more like a Windows shutdown sound

[@karbethong]

what a difference a few notes make! Fascinating to hear it, thank you, scrymgeour34.

[@lobbdaniel]

Bartok did not "yell and scream", he shouted from his seat in the audience area during the rehearsal. Koussevitzky then said, "Mr. Bartok, could you please write down your comments on a piece of paper, and I will discuss them with you during the break in rehearsal." Bartok then wrote away furiously on the paper...after the break, Koussevitzky returned from his discussion with Bartok and said to the orchestra, "Mr. Bartok wishes me to tell you that he is very happy with what you did this morning." After the performances, Bartok did express his satisfaction with the quality of the playing.

[@ZotDudot7]

Thank you for sharing a recording of this historical performance.

[@Blue-beautifulLife-sv2oh]

It's a good performance and the recording quality is good. This is the first time I've heard a performance conducted by Koussevitzky. He's a great conductor. I feel that Concerto for Orchestra is skillfully composed so that it will be a good performance when performed by a good orchestra. However, it would be an insult to the composer to say that it is Bartok's best work.

[@d60944]

Goodness. What was Bela thinking when he ever imagined that ending would be ok?

[@sneddypie]

i like it lmao

[@lobbdaniel]

Koussevitzky approached Bartok after the premiere and told him that the ending was too abrupt. Bartok finally agreed to compose an ALTERNATIVE ending expressly for Koussevitzky, and it was published as an alternative, together with some other alternatives for earlier sections of the finale. Bartok's own ending is now rarely performed. I heard Boulez conduct the original ending with the Cleveland Orchestra in the early 1970's. Both Benny Goodman and Yehudi Menuhin, in their commissioned works from Bartok, had attempted to get him to recompose portions of their works, but Bartok had refused.

[@DanWotanBarrett]

Very, very serious work by Koussevitsky. Sadly, so poorly remembered.

[@naonavel]

初演が同じ指揮者とオケで1944年12月１日。これは同年12月30日だからひと月も経っていない…　オリジナルの終結部が聴けますね。

[@patrickcrosby3824]

The story I've heard was was that Bartok was yelling and screaming his disapproval at the rehearsal. On the basis of what I hear here (including the ending which Koussevitsky talked him into changing) he should have shut up and listened.