Following their first album for Linn (Dvořák: Legends Op. 59, Czech Suite Op. 39), the WDR Sinfonieorchester and Cristian Măcelaru pursue the same folk vein with two orchestral works by Béla Bartók. Based on a rather childish tale (prince, princess, fairies, and of course a happy ending!), the music of the ballet The Wooden Prince – recorded in full here – has all the ingredients of a masterpiece: masterful scoring for large forces, use of musical themes, an effortless amalgam of folk and late-Romantic elements. Composed in 1923 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the merging of the towns of Buda and Pest – alongside commissions by Ernö Dohnányi and Zoltán Kodály – the century-old Dance Suite is a six-movement work that has become one of Bartók’s best known compositions. Born in Timișoara, a short distance from Hungaria, Măcelaru can boast an unparalleled understanding of Bartók, as evident here.01. Cristian Măcelaru – The Wooden Prince, Op. 13 Sz. 60 I. Introduction02. Cristian Măcelaru – The Wooden Prince, Op. 13 Sz. 60 II. First Dance. Dance of the Princess i03. Cristian Măcelaru – The Wooden Prince, Op. 13 Sz. 60 III. The Prince Sets off and Falls in Lo04. Cristian Măcelaru – The Wooden Prince, Op. 13 Sz. 60 IV. Second Dance. Dance of the Trees05. Cristian Măcelaru – The Wooden Prince, Op. 13 Sz. 60 V. Third Dance. Dance of the Waves06. Cristian Măcelaru – The Wooden Prince, Op. 13 Sz. 60 VI. The Prince Has an Idea07. Cristian Măcelaru – The Wooden Prince, Op. 13 Sz. 60 VII. Fourth Dance. Dance of the Princess08. Cristian Măcelaru – The Wooden Prince, Op. 13 Sz. 60 VIII. The Prince Despairs09. Cristian Măcelaru – The Wooden Prince, Op. 13 Sz. 60 IX. The prince Is Restored10. Cristian Măcelaru – The Wooden Prince, Op. 13 Sz. 60 X. Return of the Princess – Fifth Dance11. Cristian Măcelaru – The Wooden Prince, Op. 13 Sz. 60 XI. The Wooden Prince Falls to the Groun12. Cristian Măcelaru – The Wooden Prince, Op. 13 Sz. 60 XII. Seventh Dance. The Despair of the P13. Cristian Măcelaru – The Wooden Prince, Op. 13 Sz. 60 XIII. The Happy End14. Cristian Măcelaru – Dance Suite, Sz. 77 I. Moderato15. Cristian Măcelaru – Dance Suite, Sz. 77 II. Allegro molto16. Cristian Măcelaru – Dance Suite, Sz. 77 III. Allegro vivace17. Cristian Măcelaru – Dance Suite, Sz. 77 IV. Molto tranquillo18. Cristian Măcelaru – Dance Suite, Sz. 77 V. Comodo19. Cristian Măcelaru – Dance Suite, Sz. 77 VI. Finale. Allegro13222990066/104.28.159.215