Bartók, Béla

Béla Bartók (25 March 1881 – 26 September 1945) was a composer, pianist, and ethnomusicologist from Hungary. He is recognized as one of the most influential twentieth-century composers, with Franz Liszt, as Hungary's finest composer. He was one of the pioneers of comparative musicology, which subsequently became ethnomusicology, via his collecting and analysis of folk music. On March 25, 1881, Bartók was born in the Banatian town of Nagyszentmiklós in Hungary (now Sânnicolau Mare, Romania). The Bartók family, on his father's side, was a Hungarian lesser noble family from Borsodszirák, Borsod. His paternal grandmother was a Bunjevci Catholic who identified herself as Hungarian. Béla Bartók (1855–1888) was Bartók's father. Paula (née Voit) (1857-1939), Bartók's mother, was of German descent but spoke fluent Hungarian. She was born in Turócszentmárton (now Martin, Slovakia), and her ancestors were Hungarian and Slavic.

Béla showed early signs of musical ability: his mother claims he could tell the difference between various dance rhythms she played on the piano before he could talk in total words. He could play 40 pieces on the piano by four, and his mother started officially training him the following year.

Béla was a sickly kid who had severe eczema until he was five years old due to a botched smallpox vaccination injection, and his facial deformity caused him to shun others. His father, the director of an agricultural school, died unexpectedly when he was seven years old in 1888. Béla and his sister, Erzsébet, were then transferred to reside in Nagyszls (now Vynohradiv, Ukraine) and subsequently Pressburg (Pozsony, present-day Bratislava, Slovakia). Béla performed his first public recital at the age of 11 at Nagyszls to acclaim. His first work, written two years before, was a little piece called "The Course of the Danube," which he performed. László Erkel accepted him as a student soon after.

Viola Compositions of Béla Bartók | Animato Strings

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Bartok Viola Concerto Op. posth. (arr. Paul Neubauer)

Viola Concerto, Op. posth. by Béla Bartók, arranged by Paul Neubauer, presents one of the most significant works in the modern viola repertoire in a practical piano reduction with solo part. Combining Bartók's distinctive musical language with outstanding technical and expressive challenges, this edition is an essential resource for advanced violists.

Key Features:

• Music by Béla Bartók

• Arranged by Paul Neubauer

• Piano reduction with solo viola part

• Landmark twentieth-century viola concerto

• Suitable for advanced and professional players

• Develops tone, bow control, shifting, and musical expression

• Ideal for conservatory study, auditions, competitions, and recitals

• Builds advanced technical and interpretive skills

$80.95

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Bartok, Duets For Two Violas, Vol. 2 (Universal Edition)

Duets for Two Violas – Volume 2 by Béla Bartók, published by Universal Edition, is a collection of engaging chamber works inspired by Eastern European folk traditions. These beautifully crafted duets provide violists with an excellent opportunity to develop ensemble skills, rhythmic precision, and expressive musicianship.

Key Features:

• Published by Universal Edition

• Music by Béla Bartók

• Volume 2 of the Duets for Two Violas series

• For two violas

• Inspired by Eastern European folk music

• Suitable for intermediate and advanced violists

• Develops ensemble playing, rhythm, articulation, and intonation

• Ideal for lessons, chamber music, recitals, and examinations

• Encourages stylistic and expressive performance

• Excellent addition to the viola chamber music repertoire

$57.95

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Bartok 21 Duets For Viola & Cello (Universal)

21 Duets for Viola & Cello by Béla Bartók, published by Universal Edition, is a captivating collection of chamber works inspired by Eastern European folk music. These engaging duets provide violists and cellists with an excellent opportunity to develop ensemble skills while exploring Bartók's unique musical style.

Key Features:

• Published by Universal Edition

• Music by Béla Bartók

• Collection of 21 duets for viola and cello

• Inspired by Eastern European folk music

• Suitable for intermediate and advanced players

• Develops ensemble playing, rhythm, articulation, and intonation

• Encourages expressive musical interpretation

• Ideal for lessons, chamber music, recitals, and examinations

• Excellent educational and performance repertoire

$49.95

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Bartok Duets For Two Violas Vol. 1 (Universal)

Bartók Duets for Two Violas – Volume 1 by Béla Bartók presents selected pieces from the celebrated 44 Duos for Two Violins in beautifully arranged versions for two violas. Published by Universal Edition, this collection combines Eastern European folk-inspired melodies with engaging chamber music that develops both technical and ensemble skills.

Key Features:

• Published by Universal Edition

• Music by Béla Bartók

• Volume 1 for two violas

• Adapted from the 44 Duos for Two Violins

• Inspired by Eastern European folk traditions

• Suitable for intermediate and advanced violists

• Develops rhythm, articulation, intonation, and ensemble skills

• Ideal for lessons, chamber music, recitals, and examinations

• Excellent twentieth-century educational repertoire

• Valuable addition to every viola library

$44.95

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Bela Bartok - An Evening In The Village - Slovak Peasant Dance Viola And Piano

An Evening in the Village & Slovak Peasant Dance by Béla Bartók presents two charming folk-inspired works for viola and piano, published by Editio Musica Budapest. Adapted from Bartók's Ten Easy Piano Pieces, these contrasting works combine lyrical melodies and lively dance rhythms while introducing violists to Bartók's distinctive twentieth-century style.

Key Features:

• Published by Editio Musica Budapest

• Music by Béla Bartók

• For viola and piano

• Includes An Evening in the Village and Slovak Peasant Dance

• Adapted from Ten Easy Piano Pieces

• Inspired by Hungarian and Slovak folk music

• Suitable for intermediate and advanced violists

• Ideal for lessons, examinations, recitals, and auditions

• Develops rhythm, articulation, tone, and musical expression

$29.95

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Bartok, 44 Duets for 2 violas (EMB)

A celebrated collection of folk-inspired chamber music adapted from the composer's renowned 44 Duos for Two Violins. Featuring engaging melodies and vibrant rhythms influenced by Eastern European musical traditions.

Key Features:

• Published by Editio Musica Budapest (EMB)

• Music by Béla Bartók

• Complete collection of 44 duets for two violas

• Adapted from 44 Duos for Two Violins

• Inspired by Eastern European folk music

• Suitable for intermediate and advancing violists

• Develops ensemble playing, rhythm, articulation, and intonation

• Ideal for lessons, chamber music, recitals, examinations, and workshops

• Equal musical partnership for both players

• Essential addition to the modern viola repertoire

$49.95

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Bartok Viola Concerto, Op. posth. (arr. Primrose and Serly)

One of the defining works of the modern viola repertoire. Completed by Tibor Serly from Bartók's original sketches and prepared in collaboration with William Primrose, this concerto combines lyrical beauty with Bartók's distinctive rhythmic energy and expressive style, making it an outstanding choice for advanced study and performance.

Key Features:

• Composed by Béla Bartók

• Completed by Tibor Serly

• Prepared with William Primrose

• Landmark twentieth-century viola concerto

• Suitable for advanced violists

• Develops advanced technique and musical expression

• Ideal for recitals, auditions, competitions, and conservatory study

• Features Bartók's distinctive folk-inspired style

• Essential modern concerto repertoire

• A cornerstone of every serious violist's library

$64.95