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Hello! Today, I’m going to introduce you to Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances in a way that’s easy to understand, even if you’re new to classical music. This piece is a masterpiece of 20th-century music that remains surprisingly accessible and enjoyable.
What Are Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances? The Story Behind the Music
Béla Bartók (1881-1945) was one of the giants of 20th-century classical music. But what made him special wasn’t just his composing—he was also a pioneering ethnomusicologist who traveled through rural villages with a phonograph, recording peasant songs.
In 1915, Bartók composed six short dance pieces based on melodies he had collected in Transylvania. This became the work we know today as Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56.
Why Did Bartók Collect Folk Songs?
Bartók was both a musician and a scientist. From 1906 onward, he traveled throughout Central Europe, recording and cataloging an astonishing 13,000+ folk songs. This was revolutionary for its time!
He once said, “I find more inspiration in the songs sung by peasant women in mountain villages than in the ‘beautiful’ pieces taught in music classrooms.” This was a radical statement in the early 1900s.
Structure of Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances – Six Movements Explained
The total performance time is about 8-10 minutes, making it relatively short. Let’s look at each of the six dances:
1. Stick Dance (Jocul cu bâtă)
This dance comes from the village of Mezőszabad in Transylvania. Peasants performed it holding sticks, and you can hear the heavy, stomping rhythm that mimics their footsteps.
Running about 1 minute 30 seconds, it uses the Dorian mode to create a bright yet slightly dark atmosphere.
2. Sash Dance (Brâul)
From the Banat region of Romania, this is a traditional dance where women perform together wearing sashes around their waists, symbolizing unity and community.
The pizzicato (plucked string) accompaniment creates a warm, tactile feeling, almost like counting out each beat.
3. In One Spot (Pe loc)
In this unique dance, the feet barely move while the upper body and arms sway. It has a strong Oriental flavor, actually incorporating augmented second intervals influenced by Middle Eastern music.
Bartók discovered that Eastern European folk music existed at the cultural crossroads of Asia and Europe.
4. Horn Dance (Buciumeana)
This movement’s characteristics vary slightly depending on the performance version. It runs about 1 minute.
5. Romanian Polka (Polca Moldavă)
Collected from the Hungarian-Romanian border region, this dance is fast and lively. The meter shifts from 2/4 to 3/4 and back, creating a fun, off-kilter feeling like dancers losing their footing.
It uses the bright, somewhat uplifting Lydian mode.
6. Fast Dance (Mărunțel)
This is the showstopper and climax of the entire work! Performed at an extremely fast tempo, it captures the excitement and heat of a village festival.
When the horns enter, the festive atmosphere reaches its peak, culminating in a powerful finale bursting with primal energy.
What Makes Bartók’s Compositional Technique Special?
Rejecting Tonality for Modal Scales
Instead of the major and minor keys we’re used to, Bartók used ancient modes: Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, and Mixolydian. These are scale systems that existed before modern tonal music.
Bartók believed that since folk songs used these modes, modern music should too.
Same Melody, Different Harmony – Re-harmonization
One of Bartók’s unique techniques was changing the harmony when repeating the same melody. This allowed him to preserve the essence of the melody while adding a modern touch.
Breaking the Rules with Rhythm – Asymmetry
Instead of the familiar 4/4 or 3/4 time, Bartók used irregular meters like 5/8 and 7/8. This was to express the natural rhythm of folk songs.
The Historical Significance of Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances
Music Beyond Nationalism
There’s a fascinating story here. When Transylvania became part of Romania in 1920, Bartók asked his publisher to remove “from Hungary” from the title.
His reason was profound: “Romanian folk songs belong to Romania, not Hungary. Truthfulness is more important than nationalism.“
At a time when most composers emphasized only their national music, Bartók was a pioneer in declaring that “music knows no borders.”
Founding Father of Ethnomusicology
The 13,000+ folk songs Bartók collected and analyzed became the foundation of ethnomusicology as an academic discipline. Modern musicology would not exist without Bartók’s contributions.
How to Listen to Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances – A Listening Guide
First Listen: Follow the Dance
Listen to all six dances straight through—about 8-10 minutes total. Feel the stomping feet, the swaying arms, the gradually building festival excitement, and the explosive final movement.
Second Listen: Discover the Unique Scales
In each dance, try to identify the distinctive color that’s neither major nor minor. That feeling of “this sounds familiar yet strange” is the characteristic of modal scales.
Third Listen: The Fusion of Primitive and Modern
Bartók’s music is both a 100-year-old peasant dance and contemporary modern music. Try to appreciate this paradoxical charm.
Fourth Listen: Imagine Transylvania
Picture the year 1906, with young Bartók carrying his phonograph through mountain villages, carefully recording the flute melodies of peasant women, the gypsy violins, and those primitive yet elegant tunes.
Recommended Recordings of Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances
This piece was originally composed for solo piano but has been arranged for various ensembles.
Piano Versions
- Alexander Melnikov: Uses period instruments, emphasizing folk purity
- Alfred Cortez: Legendary 1920s-30s interpretation
Violin and Piano Versions
- Saito Kiyoshi with Kabacos: Modern yet traditional
- Jascha Heifetz: Brilliantly virtuosic interpretation
Orchestra Versions
- Norwegian Chamber Orchestra: Known for clear, refined interpretation
Search “Bartók Romanian Folk Dances” on YouTube to explore various versions.
Bartók’s Place in Music History
Bartók is considered one of the twin giants of 20th-century modern music alongside Stravinsky.
Interestingly, look at when these works were composed:
– 1913: Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring”
– 1915: Bartók’s “Romanian Folk Dances”
– 1917: Prokofiev’s Op. 22
All were created during or immediately after World War I. A time of upheaval brought revolution to music as well.
Bartók’s Message to Us
Sadly, Bartók fled the Nazis and emigrated to America in 1940, dying in poverty in 1945. The Nazis had labeled his music as “degenerate.”
However, since the 1950s, Bartók’s music has been recognized as among the greatest of the 20th century.
Bartók’s message to us is clear:
“Modernity doesn’t reject the past—it simply discovers the truth of the past more deeply.”
How Classical Beginners Can Easily Enjoy This Work
Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances are ideal for classical music newcomers because:
- They’re short – only about 10 minutes total, easy to digest
- The rhythm is alive – clear beats make them dance pieces
- The melodies are approachable – folk-based, not intimidating
- Multiple versions exist to suit different tastes
If you’re listening for the first time, I recommend starting with the violin version—it’s the most popular and accessible.
Perfect Moments to Listen
- Morning energizer – The lively rhythms start your day with energy
- During exercise – Clear beats make great workout music
- When you need focus – About 10 minutes is perfect for concentration
- Classical music exploration – Perfect introduction to modern music
If You Want to Explore More Bartók
If you enjoyed Romanian Folk Dances, try these other Bartók works:
- Divertimento for Strings – A deeper, more complex work
- Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion – A rhythmic feast
- Mikrokosmos – Piano studies with high artistic merit
- Bartók String Quartets – The essence of modern music
A Cultural Journey Through Music
Listening to Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances feels like traveling to a small Transylvanian village 100 years ago.
You can picture the young musicologist observing peasants dancing, carefully documenting their songs, and then witnessing the miracle of those simple folk melodies transformed into a modern classical masterpiece.
This is the power of music—connecting us across time, space, borders, and languages.
Did you think classical music was too difficult? Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances will shatter that preconception. Experience the stomping feet of dancing peasants, the heat of the festival, and the warm humanity embedded in the music.
Why not take a short musical journey to Transylvania tonight with this beautiful music?
