Bartók Béla Viktor János ： Suite Serenata BB 122 Op.4b

Bartók’s Suite Serenata brings together the intimate atmosphere suggested by its title and the composer’s characteristic rhythmic sharpness. As a suite, it connects sections of contrasting character, setting light, agile movement against songful melodies and tense sonorities. One of its attractions lies in making these changes clear while shaping the work as a unified musical flow. In performance, it is important to maintain precise control of the smaller rhythms without making the accents too hard. The melodies should be carefully brought to the fore so that they do not become buried in the inner voices or accompaniment. Giving space to changes in dynamics and phrasing allows the work’s varied expressions to emerge. Rather than fixing the tempo mechanically, performers should allow flexible breathing according to the character of each section.