Bartók finished his first violin concerto on the 5th of February 1908. He wrote it for Stefi Geyer, a violinist he was very much in love with. But exactly on that day she left him. He wrote her a reproachful letter, and put away the manuscript. He later sent it to her, and she in turn locked it away. She never performed it, and it was published in 1956, well after the death of its composer.
I finished the score of the violin concerto on the 5th of February, the very day you were writing my death sentence… I locked it in my desk, I don’t know whether to destroy it or to keep it locked away until it is found after I die and the whole pile of papers, my declaration of love, your concerto, my best work are thrown out.
Two portraits, op. 5 is another musical report of this story. In the first, Bartók shows Stefi in the best way. It is a sweet melody, full of love. The second portrait is a musical version of Bartóks disappointment because of the breakup. Yet over the rage of his anger and disappointment we hear the beautiful Stefi theme again.