Romanian Folk Dances

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Romanian Folk Dances (Sz. 56, BB 68) is a suite of six short piano pieces composed by Béla Bartók in 1915 (and later orchestrated for small ensemble), based on seven fiddle tunes of the Romanian Folklore from Transylvania. It comprises:

NOTE: the key signatures provided in this article are incorrect. This work is written in modes, and Bartok rarely wrote tonally. The original key signatures have been left to compare with the key centres. The indicated below have been sourced from: "A Guide to Bartok" by G. Kroo (1971)

Contents

[edit] 1. JOCUL CU BÂTA (or JOC CU BÂTĂ) – Dance With Stick

A dance performed using a stick. From Mezoszabad, district of Maros-Torda (today Mureş county, Transylvania in Romania). Energetic and merry.
(Allegro Moderato, m.m. 80, 57)
Key: A minor
Form: Binary
Mode: Dorian and Aeolian on key centre A

[edit] 2. BRÂUL – Waistband Dance

The word actually means: a cloth belt worn by men or women. From Egres (today Agriş, in Mureş county, Transylvania). Happy and quick.
(Allegro, m.m. 144, 25")
Key: F# minor
Form: Binary
Mode: Dorian on Key centre D

[edit] 3. PE LOC – Stamping Dance

Translation is “on the spot.” From Egres (Agriş). Rather slow with a steady step and a melody notable from small intervals. Like bagpipe music.
(Andante, m.m. 90, 45")
Key: D minor
Mode: Aeolian and Arabic influence (augmented 2nds) on key centre B

[edit] 4. BUCIUMEANA - Horn Dance

Dance from Bucium (Butschum), in the district of Torda-Aranyos (today Alba county in Romania). Graceful with a haunting melody.
(Moderato, m.m. 100, 35")
Key: Section A is in C Major, Section B is in A minor
Form: Binary with 2 tunes
Mode: Mixolyian and Arabic influence on Key Centre A

[edit] 5. POARGA ROMÂNEASCĂ – Romanian Polka

Old Romanian dance similar to the Polka. From Belényes (today Beiuş, in Bihor county near the border between Hungary and Romania). Quick and lively.
(Allegro, m.m. 152, 31")
Key: D Major
Form: Binary with 2 tunes
Mode: Lydian on Key Centre D

[edit] 6. MĂRUNŢEL – Quick Dance

A fast dance using very small steps and movements. From Belényes (Beiuş).
(Allegro, m.m. 146/Più Allegro, m.m. 152, 36")
Key: D Major, modulates to G major
Form: 3 tunes + coda
Mode: Key Centre A; 1st part begins with Lydian, but is in Mixolydian mode; 2nd part in is Dorian

[edit] Media

[edit] See also

Languages