Ehnes:Armstrong:Moretti - Bartok: Violin Works Vol. 3

James Ehnes presents his third disc of chamber works by�Bart�k. The previous volumes have, along with his�outstanding concerto disc, established his formidable reputation as a Bart�k interpreter. Here�Ehnes is joined by the pianist Andrew Armstrong, violinist Amy Schwartz Moretti, and�Michael Collins, one of the world's leading clarinettists.The Sonatina, originally composed in 1915 for piano, was based on melodies which Bart�k�had collected during expeditions in Transylvania. The transcription for violin and piano heard�here was produced ten years later by a young student of Bart�k's, Endre Gertler.�Bart�k composed Contrasts in 1938 for the jazz clarinettist Benny Goodman and violinist�Joseph Szigeti, who originally had requested a work in two movements, each with a cadenza�for one of the featured instruments. Fulfilling this request, Bart�k added a central slow�movement, entitled 'Pihen?' (Relaxation). The opening movement, 'Verbunkos', alludes to a�march-like Hungarian military recruiting dance. The finale, entitled 'Sebes' (Quick), is a�lively romp at the heart of which lies an unexpected episode of haunting calmness.�Besides writing for such outstanding musicians as Szigeti and Goodman, Bart�k composed a�lot of music for students, including the Forty-four Duos for two violins recorded here. These�short pieces take material from a remarkably wide array of folk traditions and interlink the�styles and culture of diverse peoples.