Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56 [Alf:36-60710007]

In the years preceding World War I, Hungarian composer, pianist, and ethnomusicologist Bİla Bart³k (1881-1945) took trips to the Transylvanian region to explore the musical traditions of the Romanian population. Following a two-year depression caused by the war, as well as some professional setbacks, he returned to composition. The Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56, emerged in 1915, bearing a strong influence from his experiences as an ethnomusicologist. They comprise 6 dances, all based on folk tunes that Bart³k had recorded and transcribed. In 1917, he arranged a version for full orchestra. Hungarian violinist and composer ZoltĦn Szİkely (1903-2001) transcribed these six short movements for violin and piano in 1926, which are offered here in this reprint edition. Movements: 1. Joc cu b˘ta (Stick Dance), 2. Br˘ul (Sash Dance), 3. Topog³ / PŞ-loc (In One Spot), 4. Bucsum­ tĦnc / Buciumeana (Dance from Bucsum), 5. Poarga rom˘neasca (Romanian Polka), 6. Apr³z³ / Maruntel (Fast Dance).