Béla Bartók - Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 68

"This is the orchestral version of the composer's 1915 Romanian Folk Dances for piano, Sz. 56. They are, in either version, very short, light pieces, and while their quality is fairly high (what folk music of Bartók's is not?), they are ultimately less significant works in the output of the composer.

The first of the seven dances, "Stick Dance," is played at a leisurely tempo, and though the general pacing is lively, the music has a restrained quality. The theme is attractive and Bartók's approach is straightforward in presenting the ethnic elements, as it is throughout the set. The second item, "Round Dance," less than a minute in duration, is playful and subtle. The next, "In One Spot," is colorful in its mysterious character, having an exotic upper-register melody with all the flavor and allure of Gypsy music. The fourth entry, the "Horn Dance," is wistful in nature and borders on the reflective, though it remains essentially light and colorful. At nearly two minutes, it is the longest of the dances in the set. The ensuing "Romanian Polka" is lively and colorful, lasting about a half-minute. The last two dances are both entitled "Short and Sweet." The first is, indeed, quite short and the closing number, though longer, lasts less than a minute. Both are rollicking, joyous dances whose celebration perfectly caps this colorful set of folk-inspired pieces."

(All Music Guide to Classical Music, 93)

Date: 1917
Catalogue: Szőllősy 68, Béla Bartók 76
Order:
No. 1 - Stick Dance: 0:08
No. 2 - Sash Dance: 1:28
No. 3 - In One Spot: 2:09
No. 4 - Dance from Bucium: 3:06
No. 5 - Romanian Polka: 4:48
No. 6 - Fast Dance: 5:21
No. 7 - Fast Dance: 5:37

Performers:
Miklós Erdélyi as conductor
Budapest Symphony Orchestra

Note: This channel does not own the score or audio, and they are only used for non-commercial purposes. This video is a reupload from Thomas van Dun, who withdrew all score videos of pieces not composed by himself.

[curaticac]

This is a very good rendition -- not surprising from a Hungarian orchestra. The first dance should indeed be lively and syncopated and it is actually inspired by a Hungarian folk tune. Bartok deserves credit for having recorded (literally, using a phonograph) authentic Romanian folklore music which apparently had still survived through the beginning of the XXth century. In the rest of the century, old traditional tunes -- which were exclusively modal -- were replaced, probably under the influence of Western European music, by a major/minor based style. Very few tunes still remind of the old, traditional Romanian folk music.

[정재민-gm]

1:28 2
2:09 3
3:06 4
4:48 5
5:38 7

[Mark-sdl]

My favorite is no. 5. All the complexity going on in the harmony. Most people are listening to the melody and miss the musical capers going on in the strings.

[Nick_Adkins]

I love #1... there is just something about it that is almost noble but yet child-like. It's awesome.

[AGoodVibe]

Played a keyboard percussion arrangement of these circs 2008 for a friend’s graduate recital. Hearing these now, it feels like several lifetimes ago

[mime]

As a romanian I find this vey endearing

[fabriciorodriguezsampaio]

Bartok, as many other composers of the time, took popular music from his country as "an excuse" to develop his own musical style, beautiful harmonies and beautiful melodies

[SenicoOcines]

they are charming!
my fav is the 3rd one

[YJNori]

We’re playing this in band rn 1st dance and 7th legit my favorites bruh

[nikajinpusno]

The first piece sounds like a Polish góral (highlander) song. Great music.

[LeeBrian]

It sounds perfect as Ash’s Sceptile representing this

[AsrielKujo]

oh wow, i played the piano versions when i was young, so weird.... idk why but they just make me feel weird!

[LauraOrges]

Hey, hi! Do you have this score, please? In pdf? Or do you know where can i get this? Thanks

[LukeGaming]

Basis Musik 6 use your video to 5each music in Germany(BAYERN)

[Shadowflare-tvri]

if you played this at the age 11 you are like me

[jma]

Qué MARAVILLA. Y que haya quien no crea en Dios...