The evolution of B. Bartok’s piano style
Authors: Gedi A. 
Published: March 2021

Subject actuality. The article highlights the evolution of the compositional style of the Hungarian composer, taking into account the performance component of Bartok as a pianist. Based on existing musicological sources (works by A. Alekseev, B. Sabolcha, S. Sigitov, J. Uyfalushi, I. Martynov, I. Nestev, A. Malinkovskaya) the historical periodization of the general interest in Bartok’s work is indicated. Despite the study of many aspects of his creative activity, the performance of B. Bartok still remains without special analysis. Therefore, the process of studying the work of B. Bartok today can not be considered completed. The issues of interaction between the compositional and performance style of B. Bartok, modern interpretations of his works remain opened. The Ukrainian listener is familiar with a limited range of B. Bartok’s works, so the emphasis on the artist’s performance serves as an additional stimulus for the actualization of his art in our time. The main presentation of the material. The evolution of B. Bartok’s piano style was identified as a problem by L. Gakkel through the constituent parameters of the piano style: 1) the “realistic-non-pedal” sound image of the piano; 2) coloristic shock-noise method of sound construction; 3) textured accentuated tone as a tonal-harmonic ground. Indeed, many works of the composer testify to this interpretation of the piano: “Two elegies op. 8 / b, Burlesque three pieces op. 8c, Suite op. 14, Etudes op. 18, Sonata; three concertos for piano and orchestra. However, there are a number of works written quite traditionally, in the classical key. In these works B. Bartok uses the coloristic possibilities of the piano quite avariciously (wide range of registers, pedal effects), a striking example is the “Romanian folk dances” op. 8-a). Milestones of the piano evolution of the artist’s style are marked: Rhapsody, cycles “Romanian folk dances”. Etudes op. 18 – a sample of expressionist aesthetics, extremely complex in pianistic terms. They use extreme technical difficulties that require maximum arm stretching and great physical strength.Most of Bartok’s piano works were written in the first two creation periods – early and experimental. The composer’s attention was focused on three genre areas: folklore, pedagogics, innovation. The communicative semantics of these spheres, of course, influenced the composer’s decisions in the formative field, texture, piano technique, the level of virtuosity. The regularities are traced: B. Bartok’s “commitment” to primary (song and dance) and romantic genres (elegy, rhapsody, rich people), program cyclicity; constant interest in creating a repertoire for children, which solves two tasks at once: the promotion of folk music and the children involvement into a new musical language. Note as a contradiction the fact that the analysis of the works of B. Bartok, created in the first and second period, does not fully confirm the version of L. Gakkel, about a radicalistic change in the sound image of the piano. Probably, in B. Bartok’s work the new did not exclude the old one. The basic quality of B. Bartok’s piano style is its national characteristic, which is shrouded in the resources of the latest technique of musical composition. Conclusions. B. Bartok-pianist by genotype belongs to the Liszt’s branch of European pianism. The Liszt’s tradition is a combination of classical-romantic performing principles, which is especially evident in the works of disciples and followers of F. Busoni, K. Martinsen, K. Arrau, and G. Gould. In general, the evolution of B. Bartok’s piano style can be seen as a movement from the romantic – through folklore – to the neoclassical tradition, which is manifested in the change of musical-linguistic resources (rhythm, harmony, features of musical form, texture, melody). As a result, also the sound image of the piano was being changed. Auditory analysis of B. Bartok’s performing style allowed us to conclude that, unlike many pianists of the romantic tradition, B. Bartok uses pedal effects very avariciously, preferring clear and precise pronunciation (utterance) of all elements of the texture. We state the «imposition» of the classical tradition, which originates from harpsichordists, and new trends associated with the percussive understanding of the piano. From the point of view of the temporal organization of the musical form, his works are distinguished by metrical variability and polyrhythm; rhythmic discrepancy of textured layers; extensive use of repetition techniques and ostinato techniques. The foundations of Bartok’s mode-harmonic mentality (reliance on ancient modes of folk music; mode variability in the conditions of chromatic tonality) determine the difficulties of mastering the «intonation dictionary» of his piano works, and in general the technical equipment of the texture. Thus, Bela Bartok’s piano writing style is an expression of the artist’s innovative thinking, in which the performing component of his own abilities played a key role.