Bartok: 51 Duos For Two Violins

Released (1996)

This album is perfect for classical music enthusiasts and new-comers alike ; it contains the original 44 duos and 7 never before recorded duos discovered in the legendary Yehudi Menuhin's archives. A must have for all Classical Music collectors and string based music devotees.

The first of Bartok’s 44 duos were originally pieces of music commissioned for a violin beginner’s manual in 1931. His first submissions to the project were deemed too challenging for beginners by the publishers. The prolific Bartok kept on supplying easier pieces until the collection was completed. These were then published in two volumes by Universal edition in 1933 as the ‘44 Duos’. These duos are little known, yet have an importance much greater than we at first imagine as they showcase Bartok’s departure from his signature style which can be found in his major works such as the powerful ‘Cantanta Profana’ and ‘The String Quartet No 5’.

 The artists who perform these pieces are equally as noteworthy as the Duos themselves:

Alberto Lysy, an Argentinean violinist, is considered to be one of the most influential and important figures in classical music today. Having performed with legends such as Yehudi Menuhin, Pablo Casals, Gaspar Cassado and Benjamin Britten his reputation and credentials as conductor, composer and soloist are awe inspiring. He is also one of Europe’s most important violin pedagogues since moving to Switzerland in 1977 and becoming Artistic Director of the International Menuhin Music Academy (IMMA).

The legendary Alberto Lysy performs alongside one of his old pupil, Sophia Reuter, whose credentials are equally awe inspiring.

Sophia Reuter, Coming from a rich musical heritage was a veritable child prodigy having won major competitions in her home country of Germany at the tender age of 10 years old. She was invited by Yehudi Menuhin to attend the International Music Academy where she studied under her collaborator on this recording, Alberto Lysy. She has since travelled the world and is a revered figure in the world of classical music.