BARTOK

by Everett Helm ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 1972

Helm seems uncertain of the audience for whom he is writing. Only a serious music student would be able to follow much of the analysis of Bartok's music as it is here presented, yet such a student would demand greater depth and breadth of analysis. To a person without the ability to recreate the music from printed scores and to one without a reasonable knowledge of musical theory, the discussion of Bartok's music is confusing. While a relatively large amount of attention is paid to musical detail (unnecessary in this short ""portrait""), relatively little is given to those details which would seem to be relevant to the life of the man. It is almost by accident, for example, that we discover that Bartok's first marriage yielded a son (he is first mentioned when he is fourteen years old, and then only in passing). Unfortunately both Bartok and his music fail to come alive.

Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1972

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: T.Y. Crowell

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1972

Categories: NONFICTION