This is one of those rarely performed versions of a work—the original itself not in the standard repertory—that most listeners will never encounter in the concert halls or on recordings. Yet, at student recitals and under other special circumstances it may occasionally be heard. Bartók, who was no stranger to transcription, having made numerous arrangements of folk songs throughout his career, made this arrangement in 1927, the year the First Concerto was published.

For all its skill and color, however, this two-piano version is in no way to be preferred over the original for piano and orchestra. Bartók, no doubt, arranged it for the benefit of the publisher who wanted a less-expensive version for pianists interested in studying the score in reduced form. While Bartók is able here to capture much of the rhythmic drive and percussive character of the Allegro moderato first movement, he cannot convey the music's connection to Baroque styles as effectively. The mechanical character of the second movement (Andante) is brittle enough here, but does not impart an otherworldly sense as well as the original. The Allegro molto finale is full of color in the piano/orchestra version, but sounds more percussive on two pianos and somewhat short on timbral variety.

Still, this skillfully wrought two-piano rendition is a worthwhile alternative to the original, and may well appeal to duo pianists and listeners interested in their keyboard genre.

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