Bournemouth So:Alsop - Bartok: The Wooden Prince

Naxos is proud to present a wonderful new recording of Bela Bartok's ballet The Wooden Prince. This fairy tale ballet features an original story by Bartok's literary acquaintance Bela Balazs. Balazs had also written the libretto to Bluebeard's Castle (available on Naxos 8660928). Though outwardly sunny in its subject matter, The Wooden Prince has a mystical side that may explain Bartok's attraction to the story. The ballet's opening pages have often been compared to the opening of Wagner's Das Rheingold, and the majestic heart of the score lies in the glorious music Bartok wrote to accompany the prince's apotheosis. This recording features the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra led by Marin Alsop.