String Quartet No. 2, Op. 17

1. 0:00
   Repeated D octaves, second violin

   After a short introduction, the second violin repeats D in octaves while the viola plays short pizzicato notes. The melody moves above and below them, decorated with quick ornaments.

2. 1:10
   Recordings near Biskra, 1913

   In 1913 Bartók recorded Arab music around Biskra in Algeria. Its repeated rhythms and richly ornamented tunes are drawn on in this movement. The melodies move within a small compass over a hammered accompaniment.

3. 2:22
   Middle episodes, violin and pizzicato cello

   In the middle episodes of the loose rondo form, a high violin melody plays above plucked cello. Longer phrases interrupt the repeated-note dance, and the violin line stays well above the pizzicato accompaniment.

4. 4:05
   First performance, Budapest, 1918

   The Waldbauer–Kerpely Quartet gave the first performance in Budapest on 3 March 1918. Bartók dedicated the score to its four members, Waldbauer, Temesváry, Kornstein and Kerpely.

5. 5:20
   Return of the repeated-note dance

   The repeated rhythms return and bring the four string parts close together. Short, ornamented tunes play against the repeated-note accompaniment, and the lyrical episode ends.

6. 6:28
   Final Prestissimo, muted

   The final Prestissimo begins pianissimo, with all four instruments muted. Bartók marked the tempo at 200 dotted minims a minute.

Joins

1. 2:22
   High violin over pizzicato cello

   The central episodes break off the repeated-note dance and bring in longer phrases. A violin plays a melody in a high register above pizzicato cello, and the other string parts play less around it. The plucked cello keeps a small, dry pulse under the violin line.

2. 5:20
   Return of the repeated rhythms

   After the more lyrical episodes, short repeated notes bring back the dance. The narrow, ornamented melodies are again set against a repeated string accompaniment. The long phrases are replaced by the quick bow strokes and sharp accents of the opening.

3. 6:28
   Mutes on for the Prestissimo

   All four players put on mutes for the closing Prestissimo. The tempo increases and the dynamic is pianissimo. The repeated notes and turning figures continue at the lower dynamic. The metronome marking is dotted minim = 200.