One of the more intriguing and stimulating niche-bender projects, An Evening in the Village re-imagines several works of Béla Bartók as played by bluegrass band. (Now, before anyone asks “what’s this got to do with classical music?”, we should remember that Bartók himself was a big fan of folk music, incorporating folk tunes from his native Hungary into many of his “legit” compositions.)
Banjoist and bandleader Jake Schepps’ arrangements (for banjo, guitar, mandolin, violin, cello, and bass) sound wholly natural and idiomatic, as they retain the composer’s distinctive harmonic language while bringing in a lively rustic feel. The majority of the 18 selections come from Bartók’s Mikrokosmos (including Six Dances in Bulgarian Rhythm) and 44 Violin Duos. Masterful as the originals are, the bluegrass versions enrich the timbre and add vibrant color to the music. The musicians treat the music respectfully note-wise, but quite naturally (for a bluegrass band) they offer tantalizing variations of their own, adding to the fun, created-in-the-moment atmosphere of the performances.
Purists likely will sniff at the title track, reduced from its orchestral trappings in Hungarian Sketches. But the piece gains a newfound intimacy and immediacy in this form, especially in this tender rendition by Schepps and crew. Interestingly, the one non-Bartók track, the traditional Cousin Sally Brown, sounds totally appropriate here, making clear the connection between old world and new world folk music. But, ultimately it’s best to forget about ethnomusicology: just put on this delightful, stirring CD and enjoy!
