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This historical recording is the first performance in Hungary of Bela Bartok's Violin Concerto No. 2. Performed by Peter Szervanszky with the Szekesfovarosi (Metropolitan) Orchestra conducted by Janos Ferencsik, this live radio broadcast was recorded on X-ray plates from Budapest's Vigado concert hall on the 5th January 1944.

The recording owes its existence to the Babits-Makai collection of recordings which were initiated by the Hungarian poetess, Sophie Torok. Wife of the renowned poet, Mihaly Babits, she became a devoted fan of Bartok's music and persuaded her husband to engage the pioneering Hungarian recording engineer, István Makai, to record all the Bartok performances broadcast by Radio Budapest from 1936 onwards.

As the conflict in Europe worsened, Makai was unable to obtain the recording tape that was in use at the time, and so he resorted to obtaining X-ray plates from hospitals on which he could record. Many of these recordings were made public, together with some of Bartok's own wax cylinder recordings on the Hungaroton Classic label, this recording of the Violin Concerto, however, remained in the Babits Collection and is issued here for the first time.

''Mr. Szervanszky is a violinist of the highest calibre; he displays a bowing of exceptionally light, rich and sonorous quality.''

Wiener Kurir

''Peter Szervanszky gave us an interpretation of the masterpiece for violin, by Bela Bartok, such as we have not heard for many years. It was perfect and each note was a delight.''

Musical Opinion, London

Unfortunately this recording is the only remaining evidence of Peter Szervanszky's playing, despite that he was a highly praised touring virtuoso all around in Europe until 1950, when he moved to Peru. Eventually he returned to Hungary and passed away March 27, 1985 in Budapest.

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Press Quotes

...What an inspiring performance by a group who under the circumstances may have been little more than a pickup orchestra - and how lucky we are to be able to hear this. May there be such artifacts from our time that future historians and listeners can hear and wonder how we managed to survive as well. (Full review at: https://newyorkmusicdaily.wordpress.com/2020/05/07/bartok1944/

     —delarue, New York Music Daily

He is a master of his instrument, who displays exceptional technical qualities. His sonority is admirable and the eloquence of his bow something really remarkable.

     —Le Journal de Geneve

I admire the bravery of BMC releasing this. It marks a historic event in Budapest & the documentation contextualizes that well... but in truth this is for the seriously hardened violin collector & only the toughest of the tough should consider listening.

     —Jonathan Woolf, musicweb-international.com

The good thing about the sound is that Szervánszky’s violin is forwardly balanced.

     —Jonathan Woolf, Music Web International