Two Romanian Dances, Op. 8a

The Two Romanian Dances (Két Román Tánc in Hungarian), Op. 8a, are piano work written by Béla Bartók, based on Romanian folk music. Written in 1910, they date from the beginning of his interest in folk music — his first work showing strong folk influence, the String Quartet No. 1, is from just two years before. However, the Dances show that he has already seamlessly incorporated folk idioms into his musical language.

Romanian Dance No. 1, Op. 8a No. 1

The first dance (Allegro vivace) is rhapsodic in form, though with a recurrent main theme. This theme, which provides the melodic, textural, and rhythmic foundations of the work, is first heard pianissimo in the murky depths of the keyboard. The middle section, Lento, presents an evocative modal melody against a various tremolo harmonies in the bass. This section fades away, and, after a long and increasingly frenzied crescendo, the main theme returns in triumphant fortissimo octaves. Unusually for Bartók, major and minor chords are used extensively in this piece.

Romanian Dance No. 2, Op. 8a No. 2

The second dance (Poco allegro) begins with a brief introductory passage, which sets the mood of the piece — a strange mix of humour and severity. The main theme, based loosely on a Romanian jeering song, is presented three times in succession. After a violent transition, the material from the opening returns, though somewhat warped. The main theme returns, yet more frantic; after another brief interlude, it returns again, this time marked Più mosso, febrile (“more motion, feverishly”). The remainder of the piece is a mishmash of cheerful motifs showing Balinese influence, sudden contrasts which range from amusing to disconcerting, and majestic passages in double octaves. Although the form of this dance defies classification, it is nonetheless remarkably directed, unified, and satisfying.

Béla Bartók

Ballets	The Miraculous Mandarin The Wooden Prince

Chamber works	44 Duos for Two Violins Contrasts Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion Sonata for Solo Violin

Choral works	Cantata Profana

Concertante works	Rhapsody No. 1 Rhapsody No. 2

Concertos	Concerto for Orchestra Piano Concerto No. 1 Piano Concerto No. 2 Piano Concerto No. 3 Viola Concerto Violin Concerto No. 1 Violin Concerto No. 2

Operas	Bluebeard's Castle

Orchestral works	Divertimento for String Orchestra Kossuth Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta Romanian Folk Dances

Piano compositions	Allegro barbaro Eight Improvisations on Hungarian Peasant Songs Fifteen Hungarian Peasant Songs For Children Mikrokosmos Piano Sonata Romanian Christmas Carols Slovak Dance Sonatina Two Romanian Dances, Op. 8a

String quartets	String Quartet No. 1 String Quartet No. 2 String Quartet No. 3 String Quartet No. 4 String Quartet No. 5 String Quartet No. 6

Suites	Dance Suite Out of Doors Petite Suite Suite paysanne hongroise Suite, Op. 14

Related	List of compositions List of solo piano compositions Night music Triptych

Two Romanian Dances, Op. 8a

Romanian Dance No. 1, Op. 8a No. 1

Romanian Dance No. 2, Op. 8a No. 2

See also