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Topic: Bartok's emphasis differences  (Read 1338 times)

Offline the green piano man

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Bartok's emphasis differences
on: April 30, 2024, 09:08:44 AM
Hello i am currently learning bartok's arrangement of the dance suite for the piano. I noticed he varies which emphasis signs he uses for example sF, >, marcato and so on. Does someone know the differences, not generally, just at bartok?
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Offline pianistavt

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Re: Bartok's emphasis differences
Reply #1 on: April 30, 2024, 10:56:11 AM
Most of the Alfred editions of piano music, including Bartok, make an effort to write an analysis of the music and provide information about performance practice. 
The preface to Bartok's Allegro Barbara says this:  "
- is the weakest possible accent and is played with a non-legato touch in which the gap between the two tones is hardly perceptible (the key is pressed rather than struck)
> is a weak accent
^ is a medium strong accent
sf is a strong accent
sff is the strongest possible accent
"
The important thing is to distinguish between them in your playing.  The exact quality of each will depend on the piano and pianist.

Offline pianistavt

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Re: Bartok's emphasis differences
Reply #2 on: April 30, 2024, 11:03:33 AM
Also - you can learn a lot by listening to recordings ... I found one on YT,

Offline the green piano man

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Re: Bartok's emphasis differences
Reply #3 on: April 30, 2024, 01:53:28 PM
Most of the Alfred editions of piano music, including Bartok, make an effort to write an analysis of the music and provide information about performance practice. 
The preface to Bartok's Allegro Barbara says this:  "
- is the weakest possible accent and is played with a non-legato touch in which the gap between the two tones is hardly perceptible (the key is pressed rather than struck)
> is a weak accent
^ is a medium strong accent
sf is a strong accent
sff is the strongest possible accent
"
The important thing is to distinguish between them in your playing.  The exact quality of each will depend on the piano and pianist.
Yes thank you very very much, that is what i was looking for. I have a sense for bartok's music because im from hungary and I listened to a lot of bartok, but I wanted to know the exact definition
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