The music
of Hungarian composer Béla Bartók is
known for its incorporation of folk melodies and dance rhythms, and this suite
is no exception. Originally composed for orchestra in 1923 to celebrate the 50th
anniversary of the amalgamation of the towns of Buda and Pest, this work brilliantly conveys the
character of Hungarian, Romanian, and Arabic folk music. The suite consists of six sections which are
played without pause. These sections, though
wildly different from each other, are held together by a haunting ritornello,
which appears after the first, second, fourth and sixth sections. Every section has a distinct character,
culminating in the finale where themes from throughout the piece are tossed
about, propelling the work to a sudden, exciting conclusion. The piano version performed here was arranged
by the composer. Michael Mizrahi
Classical Music | Piano Music
Béla Bartók
Dance Suite Play
Recorded on 04/25/2006, uploaded on 01/27/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Dance Suite Béla Bartók
The music of Hungarian composer Béla Bartók is known for its incorporation of folk melodies and dance rhythms, and this suite is no exception. Originally composed for orchestra in 1923 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the amalgamation of the towns of Buda and Pest, this work brilliantly conveys the character of Hungarian, Romanian, and Arabic folk music. The suite consists of six sections which are played without pause. These sections, though wildly different from each other, are held together by a haunting ritornello, which appears after the first, second, fourth and sixth sections. Every section has a distinct character, culminating in the finale where themes from throughout the piece are tossed about, propelling the work to a sudden, exciting conclusion. The piano version performed here was arranged by the composer. Michael Mizrahi
More music by Béla Bartók
Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta
Second Rhapsody for violin and piano
String Quartet No. 1, Sz. 40
First Rhapsody: Prima parte, “Lassu”
Six Romanian Popular Songs
Rhapsody No. 1
Romanian Folk Dances
Improvisations on Hungarian Peasant Songs, Op. 20
Two Portraits, Op. 5, No. 1 "Idealistic" Andante sostenuto
Suite Paysanne Hongroise
Performances by same musician(s)
Prelude and Fugue in A-flat Major from Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I
Prelude and Fugue in f-sharp minor from Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I
Five pieces from the ballet Romeo and Juliet for viola and piano
Marchenbilder for viola and piano, Op. 113
Sonata No. 5 for Violin and Piano in F Major, Op. 24 "Spring"
Piano Sonata No. 21 in C Major
32 Variations in c minor, WoO 80
Ballade No. 1 in g minor, Op. 23
Tango for Viola and Piano
Mazurka in c-sharp minor, Op. 63, No. 3
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