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Fifteen Hungarian Peasant Songs

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Fifteen Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz. 71, BB 79 is a collection of short folk melodies arranged for piano by Hungarian composer Béla Bartók. It was composed between 1914 and 1918.

Contents

Structure

This collection of pieces consists of fifteen movements, and some of them are put into groups. A typical performance of this work should last between thirteen and fifteen minutes. The movement list is as follows:

  • Four Old Tunes
  • I. Rubato
  • II. Andante - Poco sostenuto - Più andante (Tempo I) - Poco sostenuto - Più andante
  • III. Poco rubato - Sostenuto
  • IV. Andante
  • V. Scherzo. Andante - Sostenuto, poco rubato - Tempo I
  • VI. Ballad (Theme with variations). Andante - Più andante - Poco adagio - Più andante - Maestoso
  • Old Dance Tunes
  • VII. Allegro
  • VIII. Allegretto
  • IX. Allegretto
  • X. L'istesso tempo
  • XI. Assai moderato
  • XII. Allegretto
  • XIII. Poco più vivo - Allegretto
  • XIV. Allegro
  • XV. Allegro - Più vivo - Poco più meno vivo
  • Some critics claim Bartók intended the work to be split into two parts: the first one would include the first six movements, and the second one would include the following nine movements. However, such division is not present in the original score.

    Notable recordings

    Notable recordings of this composition include:

    Arrangements

    The 15 songs have all been orchestrated by Nathan Kelly for symphonic orchestra and are frequently performed by orchestras.

    References

    Fifteen Hungarian Peasant Songs Wikipedia


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