Béla Bartók

Divertimento BB 118

In the summer of 1939, Béla Bartók travels to Switzerland to compose the 'Divertimento for String Orchestra' in just two weeks as the guest of his patron Paul Sacher. Inspired by the hospitable atmosphere, he feels 'like an old world musician' there. The Divertimento is Bartók's highly original contribution to this genre of traditionally entertaining character: the title and three-part structure with two dance-like-vital opening movements hark back to Mozart's time, while the lively alternations between soloist group and tutti in the final movement hark back to the Baroque concerto grosso principle. Only the somber-sounding middle movement gives a hint that the world no longer seemed only cheerful to Bartók a few days before the outbreak of the Second World War.

The 'Breitkopf Urtext' edition is based on Bartók's autograph and the first printing of the score, which he meticulously reviewed. In addition, subsequent corrections that Bartók noted in his hand copy could be taken into account.