String Quartet No. 6, Sz. 114
by Béla Bartók
Bartók's final string quartet, composed in 1939 as Europe descended into the Second World War — a conflict that would drive Bartók himself into American exile. The work is unified by a "Mesto" ("Sad") theme that appears as a preface to each of the four movements, growing progressively longer and more prominent until the finale, where it becomes the entire movement. The quartet was composed after the death of Bartók's mother and before his departure from Hungary; its valedictory quality and austere lyricism make it one of the most personal and affecting works in the quartet literature.
Movements
Editions
Boosey & Hawkes
Bartók estate, 1941
Original Boosey publication in close cooperation with the Bartók estate; the authoritative text for all performances.
Editio Musica Budapest
László Somfai, 1993
Critical edition with Somfai's scholarly notes on the autograph and sketches; published in conjunction with the Bartók centenary.