The works on this album document the development of Bartok's aesthetics from thenationalistic late romantic style of the symphonic poem "Kossuth" and the overtly romanticFour Piano Pieces to the folk-infused Sonatina and the ebullient Piano Sonata (there are twosurviving early sonatas) composed in 1926, and which is in his mature style. It exploits theinstruments percussive qualities, and is relentless in it's gladiatorial, muscular energy.Sonya Bach studied with Lazar Bermann and Alicia de Larrocha and has recorded Bachconcertos, Chopin Etudes, Mussorgsky and Rachmaninov for Rubicon. This is her fifth album forthe label.