BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra & Thomas Dausgaard - Bartok: The Wooden Prince (Final Version) (2024)

‘From a musical point of view, but especially with regard to the stageworthiness of the work, these cuts represent an absolute improvement’ Bartok wrote to his publisher when he had finished his definitive revision of his Wooden Prince – cutting out much of the music relating to specific stage action, but also generally tightening the symphonic structure, making its large-scale mirror form appear clearer. Normally performed and recorded in its non-revised full-length version, it has been a joy now to follow Bartok’s inspired last wish revision of this mystic, vital, otherworldly, and grotesque fantasy music. (Thomas Dausgaard)
This album is the third in Thomas Dausgaard’s survey of Bartok’s orchestral works, and as before, he has recorded a version of a major work seldom heard. The rare and final version of the Wooden Prince is coupled with the masterful Divertimento and the Romanian Folk Dances.
Tracklist
1. The Wooden Prince, Sz. 60 (Final Version): I. Introduction (4:08)
2. The Wooden Prince, Sz. 60 (Final Version): II. The Princess (0:34)
3. The Wooden Prince, Sz. 60 (Final Version): III. First Dance - Dance of the Princess in the Forest, Pt. 1 (2:04)
4. The Wooden Prince, Sz. 60 (Final Version): IV. First Dance - Dance of the Princess in the Forest, Pt. 2 (2:26)
5. The Wooden Prince, Sz. 60 (Final Version): V. Second Dance - The Dance of the Trees (4:14)
6. The Wooden Prince, Sz. 60 (Final Version): VI. The Prince Moves On (0:16)
7. The Wooden Prince, Sz. 60 (Final Version): VII. Third Dance - Dance of the Waves (3:29)
8. The Wooden Prince, Sz. 60 (Final Version): VIII. The Prince has an Idea (2:33)
9. The Wooden Prince, Sz. 60 (Final Version): IX. The Prince has Another Idea (0:47)
10. The Wooden Prince, Sz. 60 (Final Version): X. The Princess Notices the Puppet (1:54)
11. The Wooden Prince, Sz. 60 (Final Version): XI. Forth Dance - Dance of the Princess with the Wooden Prince (4:11)
12. The Wooden Prince, Sz. 60 (Final Version): XII. The Prince Despairs (3:12)
13. The Wooden Prince, Sz. 60 (Final Version): XIII. The Fairy Comforts the Prince (3:47)
14. The Wooden Prince, Sz. 60 (Final Version): XIV. The Princess Appears (1:54)
15. The Wooden Prince, Sz. 60 (Final Version): XV. Fifth Dance - The Princess Forces the Wooden Prince to Dance (0:59)
16. The Wooden Prince, Sz. 60 (Final Version): XVI. Sixth Dance - The Princess's Seductive Dance (0:48)
17. The Wooden Prince, Sz. 60 (Final Version): XVII. Seventh Dance - The Forest Stops the Princess (1:34)
18. The Wooden Prince, Sz. 60 (Final Version): XVIII. The Prince Comes Forward (1:32)
19. The Wooden Prince, Sz. 60 (Final Version): XIX. All Things Take On Their Original Form (1:54)
20. Divertimento for Strings, Sz. 113: I. Allegro non troppo (9:33)
21. Divertimento for Strings, Sz. 113: II. Molto adagio (9:19)
22. Divertimento for Strings, Sz. 113: III. Allegro assai (7:17)
23. Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 68: No. 1, Joc cu bâta (1:15)
24. Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 68: No. 2, Brâul (0:35)
25. Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 68: No. 3, Pe loc (1:06)
26. Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 68: No. 4, Buciumeana (1:36)
27. Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 68: No. 5, Romanian Polka (0:30)
28. Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 68: No. 6a, Mărunțel "Fast Dance 1" (Belényes) (0:15)
29. Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 68: No. 6b, Mărunțel "Fast Dance 2" (Nyágra) (0:50)