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Hommage à Béla Bartók, op. 132, for mixed chamber choir was commissioned by Hungarian Radio for a gala concert, ‘The World Day on 1 October 1995', expressly in memory of Béla Bartók.The composer's name was an inspiration and, through the notes B (flat), E and A along with their transpositions, lies at the basis of the work. Besides his name, I have also woven the notes B-A-C-H into the texture. I wanted to emphasize and exploit the many expressive possibilites of the human voice, its colours and nuances, virtuosity, lyricism and dramatic potential.There is a section where the individual singers are asked to improvise within a given notational framework. At the dynamic climax the conductor is also required to improvise and bring his or her personal temperament to bear on the tempo and accentuation. At times when various aspects of the music take on a strong profile, four soloists (or a solo quartet) from within the choir are brought into relief.In the opening section an elegiac B flat-A motto from the mezzo-soprano is set against a static B flat-E tritone from the sopranos and altos, bringing this part to the fore. The closing part of the work recalls the the atmosphere of the opening. With its gradually progressive development, violent outbursts, improvisation from the singers and moments of contemplation, it has an ethos which pervades the whole work. Ever-present is the spirit of Bartók himself, a composer who oscillated between the quest for the original wellspring of music on the one hand and sophisticated refinement on the other.© Erik Bergman, 1996(Fennica Gehrman)

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Abbreviation	Instrument
Woodwind
acl	alto clarinet
afl	alto flute
arec	alto recorder
asax	alto saxophone
barsax	baritone saxophone
barhn	baritone horn
bcl	bass clarinet
bfl	bass flute
bob	bass oboe
bsax	bass saxophone
bsn	bassoon
cbsn	contrabassoon
cl	clarinet
ehn	English horn
fl	flute
hn	French horn
ob	oboe
pic	piccolo
rec	recorder
sax	saxophone
srec	soprano recorder
ssax	soprano saxophone
trec	tenor recorder
tsax	tenor saxophone
Brass
ahn	alto horn
atrb	altotrombone
barhn	baritone horn
btrb	bass trombone
cornet	cornet
euph	euphonium
fhn	flugelhorn
hn	French horn
tba	tuuba
thn	tenor horn
trb	trombone
trp	trumpet
Percussion
dr	drums
glock	glockenspiel
mar	marimba
perc	percussion
timp	timpani
vibr	vibraphone
xyl	xylophone
Strings
db	double bass
gamba	viola da gamba
str	strings
vla	viola
vlc	cello
vln	violin
Other
acc	accordion
cel	celesta
cemb	harpsichord
chords	chords
elbas	electric bass
elg	electric guitar
elorg	electric organ
elpno	electric piano
guit	guitar
harm	harmonium
hca	harmonica
hp	harp
instr	instrument
kantele	kantele
keyb	keyboard
live electr	live electronics
mand	mandolin
mel	melody
org	organ
pno	piano
synth	synthesizer
tape	tape
Vocal
alto	alto
baryt	baritone
basso	bass voice
ch	choir
chc	childrens choir
chf	female choir
chm	male choir
chx	mixed choir
cten	countertenor
mezzo	mezzo-soprano
sopr	soprano
speaker	speaker
ten	tenor
voc	vocal

Symphony orchestra
2222 4331 11 1, str = 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 French horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, one other percussionist, harp and strings
Wind band
2252 3 423 21212 3 = 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 5 clarinets, 2 bassoons - 3 saxophones - 4 French horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones - 2 cornets, alto horn, 2 tenor horns, baritone horn, 2 tubas - 3 percussionists
Big band
221 4 4, pno, guit, db, dr = 2 alto saxophones, 2 tenor saxophones, baritone saxophone, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, piano, guitar, double bass, drums
Additional codes
+	fl+pic = flutist doubles on piccolo
/	pno/org = can be played on either piano or organ
lib	ad libitum
obl	obligato
str	str: 65432 = specified number of string players
str min	str min: 65432 = at least 65432
str max	str max: 65432 = not more than 65432
solo	vln solo = violin is the solo instrument in a work not obviously for solo violin