Bartók’s Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta (1936) was a roaring success from the first day it was performed, praised by critics as a masterpiece. It was also the composer’s last work published by Universal Edition in Vienna. A fierce opponent of National-Socialism, Bartók stopped co-operating with his main publisher soon after. The Divertimento (1939), though definitely not a ‘lightweight’, gives barely any indication of the political circumstances and events at the time it was created. In their original form, the piano works on the present recording, arranged for percussion ensemble, are miniatures whose strong rhythms make them natural candidates for percussion arrangements (Bartók himself experimented extensively with percussion instruments and was familiar with them). Among them the Allegro barbaro from 1911 was already during Bartók’s life considered as his musical calling card and has been one of his most popular compositions ever since.

Pietari Inkinen is one of the noted rising stars on the international conducting scene with a comprehensive experience in both operatic and symphonic repertoire. As chief conductor of the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie he has achieved superb performances.

‘Inkinen is conducting in a very detailed and analytical way, and the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie follows its chief conductor with a cool, precise and often deliberately sharp playing. In this way the ambiguity of the music is expressed very well. A successful start of a new complete recording!’ – Pizzicato ***** (SWR19086CD: Prokofiev - Symphonies 3 & 6)