Favorites: Abigél Králik

There are so many pieces of music I love. It really depends on the moment and what emotions I want to feel. There are a couple that particularly stand out to me, for very different reasons. One is lighthearted and playful, with a lot of sentimental value, while the other  one is something I discovered recently and elicits much deeper, more complex emotions.

The first piece is the Romanian Folk Dances by Béla Bartók. Composed in 1915, it consists of six short movements.  It is the perfect little mix of different techniques, stories and sounds, making it great for beginners and something which has become a tradition for teachers in Hungary to give to their students. I’ve been playing it for years and never really stopped. I love its directness. It reminds me to appreciate the simplicities of life, and there’s something special about that.

The other piece is String Quartet No.2 by Anton Arensky, a piece of chamber music in three movements. I first heard it in New York a few years ago, and it completely took me by surprise. I didn’t even know it was on the program and when I heard it, I was so moved, I almost started crying. It’s probably my favorite piece of music ever.

Some people are naturally visual or guided by taste or smell, but for me, it’s always been about sound.   I’m drawn to deep round tones and Arensky’s quartet has this incredibly unique sound. Instead of the traditional string quartet setup with one cello, one viola and two violins; it’s two cellos, a viola and a violin. The result is this warm rich sound that feels incredibly intimate and touching – you’re left feeling completely understood.

I had the chance to play it for the first time in Switzerland last year. It was programmed at a festival I was attending with some fantastic musicians. I’d play it every single week of my life if I could.