Slovakian Boys’ Dance is the third piece in the collection Ten Easy Pieces dating from 1908 by Béla Bartók. It is an improver level piano piece an Show More...
Slovakian Boys’ Dance is the third piece in the collection Ten Easy Pieces dating from 1908 by Béla Bartók. It is an improver level piano piece and a rhythmic movement with a strong repetitive element. Based on a folk tune it is quite a short piece lasting about 45 seconds. The realisation plays back at 132 quarter note beats to the minute. The score is quite detailed and like much of Bartok’s music pianistic and easier to play than it sounds. This type of movement is excellent for developing a secure piano technique. The composer was interested in folk music and composing music for educational purposes. The Ten Easy Pieces feature pentatonic scales, references to modes, off beat rhythms and ostinati. Close
Bartok's approach to much of his piano writing is that he considers it as a percussion instrument. Much of his music sounds challenging but often it Show More...
Bartok's approach to much of his piano writing is that he considers it as a percussion instrument. Much of his music sounds challenging but often it is quite playable. The challenge is more on the musical ear and technique rather than the musical content. It is a case of the listener being challenged. The score detail is a strong element in the sheet music copy. Bartok’s music scores do require careful study. The melodic shapes and patterns in this movements are strong and repetitive and the rhythmic element music is particularly strong. He was a great experimenter with sounds and in that he has much in common with Stravinsky. Bartok is one of the best 20th century composers to study because he is excellent at preparing the ear’s of a musician for modern sounds. Bartok’s music does possess great symmetry and his music does identify with the tonal tradition. His music might not sound tonal at times but the functionality in all sense and purpose is tonal. Bartok’s music is often derived from the rhythms and sounds of folk melodies he heard as a child and adult. The music editor suggests that this is an excellent performance piece for aspiring musicians. Close
