Bartok

Béla Bartók
Born	Béla Viktor János Bartók March 25, 1881 Nagyszentmiklós, Kingdom of Hungary
Died	September 26, 1945 New York City, United States
Occupation	Composer, Pianist, Ethnomusicologist

Béla Viktor János Bartók (March 25, 1881 – September 26, 1945) was a renowned Hungarian composer, pianist, and ethnomusicologist. He is considered one of the most important composers of the 20th century and a pioneer in the field of ethnomusicology.

Early Life and Education

Bartók was born in Nagyszentmiklós, a town in the Kingdom of Hungary (now Sânnicolau Mare, Romania). He showed early musical talent and began studying the piano with his mother. In 1899, he entered the Royal Academy of Music in Budapest, where he studied under István Thomán and János Koessler.

Career

Bartók's early compositions were influenced by the Romantic style of Richard Strauss and Franz Liszt. However, his style evolved as he began to incorporate elements of Hungarian folk music into his works. Along with fellow composer Zoltán Kodály, Bartók traveled to remote villages to collect and study folk songs, which greatly influenced his compositions.

Major Works

Some of Bartók's most significant works include:

• Concerto for Orchestra
• Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta
• Mikrokosmos
• Six String Quartets
• Allegro barbaro

Ethnomusicology

Bartók is considered one of the founders of ethnomusicology. He collected and analyzed thousands of folk songs from Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and other regions. His work in this field not only preserved many traditional songs but also influenced his own compositions, blending folk elements with classical music structures.

Personal Life

Bartók married twice. His first marriage was to Márta Ziegler in 1909, with whom he had a son, Béla Bartók III. The couple divorced in 1923, and Bartók then married Ditta Pásztory, a pianist, with whom he had another son, Péter.

Later Years and Death

In 1940, Bartók emigrated to the United States due to the rise of Nazism in Europe. He continued to compose and perform, but his health declined. Bartók died of leukemia in New York City on September 26, 1945.

Legacy

Bartók's influence on 20th-century music is profound. His innovative use of folk music, complex rhythms, and dissonant harmonies has inspired countless composers. His works remain a staple in the repertoire of classical musicians worldwide.

Related Pages

• Hungarian folk music
• Ethnomusicology
• Zoltán Kodály
• Concerto for Orchestra
• Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta
• Mikrokosmos (Bartók)
• Six String Quartets (Bartók)
• Allegro barbaro