Stravinsky's impetus for writing these piano/violin pieces was his tour of Europe and Latin America with violinist Samuel Dushkin in 1931–37. The Duo Concertant is balanced as if on a fulcrum between the two instruments and suggested to the composer "a musical parallel of pastoral poetry." The Suite italienne of 1933 and the Divertimento of 1934 are based on his ballets Pulcinella and Le baiser de la fée.
"Bartók’s two Rhapsodies both date from 1928, and are therefore products of that master’s maturity. These performers seem particularly at home in this repertoire, and the first movement of the Rhapsody No. 1 is perhaps the highlight of the whole CD."—MusicWeb International
