This intriguing, at times slightly frustrating album explores some extreme byways of the piano literature. The major item is Bartók’s early – very early – Sonata from 1898 (he was 17 years old at its completion), listed here as Op 19, though it would briefly hold the talismanic ‘Op 1’ before being replaced by the Rhapsody for piano of 1904. Those familiar with the composer’s percussive Sonata of 1926 may be surprised at the stylistic anonymity of this youthful essay. In the booklet note, Richard Whitehouse rightly draws attention to the Brahmsian and Chopinesque aspects of the large Allegro first movement, though in the wider aspect there is – unsurprisingly – a Lisztian feel to the pianism. The Adagio introduction to the finale reminded me quite strongly of Busoni, with whom Bartók formed a brief but profitable friendship from 1903.

The four miniatures from the 1890s show Bartók honing his creativity and while the sequence of waltz, polka and Ländler make splendid teasers for the ‘innocent ear’ it is the earliest of these, the Changing Piece – Változó darab in the original Magyar – of 1890 that caught my ear. The remainder of the album is devoted to the 48 pieces – most of them tiny – that Bartók contributed to the Piano Method (Zongoraiskola) co-created with the slightly younger composer and teacher Sándor Reschofsky (1887-1972). Intended as exercises to nurture piano technique in every aspect, these create a rather disjointed impression heard collectively. I cannot agree with Richard Whitehouse’s contention that some might make useful encore pieces: none is developed enough or exceeds 55 seconds in duration. For Children and Mikrokosmos this is not.

That said, Goran Filipec does everything he can with them, whether in the Lisztian grandeur of the Sonata, the chirpy dancing of the early pieces or the stylistic though still rather anonymous variations of Zongoraiskola. Fine sound.

Bartók: ‘Piano Music, Volume 9’

Piano Sonata, Op 19 BB12 DD51. Lajos Waltz, BB1 DD28. ‘Gabi’ Polka, BB1 DD12. Ländler No 2, BB1 DD18. Changing Piece, BB1 DD2. Zongoraiskola (‘Piano Method’, with Sándor Reschofsky)

Goran Filipec pf

Naxos 8 574420

This review originally appeared in the Summer 2024 issue of International Piano. Never miss an issue – subscribe today