29. String Quartets Nos. 1–6

Contents

On the Complete Critical Edition

Abbreviations and Bibliographical References

Introduction

Early String Quartets

String Quartet No. 1, op. 7 (1908–1909)

String Quartet No. 2, op. 17 (1915–1917)

String Quartet No. 3 (1927)

String Quartet No. 4 (1928)

String Quartet No. 5 (1934)

String Quartet No. 6 (1939)

Plans for a Seventh Quartet

The Present Edition

Acknowledgements

Notation and Performance

General Remarks

Bartók’s Notation
Rehearsal Numbers, Measure Numbers
Tempo, Metronome Markings, and Duration
Barlines, Accentuation
Hierarchy between the Voices
Separation Marks
Articulation and Accent Signs
Bow Strokes
Slurs Endings with Staccato
Strings, Fingering
Vibrato
Glissando, Quarter Tone, Pizzicato
Mute

Remarks on Individual Works

String Quartet No. 1
String Quartet No. 2
String Quartet No. 3
String Quartet No. 4
String Quartet No. 5
String Quartet No. 6

String Quartet No. 1, op. 7 (BB 52)

  1. Lento
  2. Allegretto
    (Introduzione). Allegro
  3. Allegro vivace

String Quartet No. 2, op. 17 (BB 75)

  1. Moderato
  2. Allegro molto, capriccioso
  3. Lento

String Quartet No. 3 (BB 93)

Prima parte. Moderato

Seconda parte. Allegro

Ricapitulazione della prima parte. Moderato

Coda. Allegro molto

String Quartet No. 4 (BB 95)

  1. Allegro
  2. Prestissimo, con sordino
  3. Non troppo lento
  4. Allegretto, pizzicato
  5. Allegro molto

String Quartet No. 5 (BB 110)

Allegro

Adagio molto

Scherzo. Alla bulgarese (vivace)

Andante

Finale. Allegro vivace – Presto

String Quartet No. 6 (BB 119)

  1. Mesto – Vivace
  2. Mesto – Marcia
  3. Mesto – Burletta. Moderato
  4. Mesto

Appendix

Bartók’s Analysis of String Quartets Nos. 4 and 5