Romanian folk dances, op. 143
for string orchestra
Béla Bartók
1917
Duration: 6'
1. Jocul cu bâta (Stabtanz). Allegro moderato
2. Brâul (Rundtanz). Allegro
3. Pe Loc (Stampftanz). Moderato
4. Bubiumeana (Kettentanz). Moderato
5. Poarga românesca (Rumänische Polka)
6. Allegro
7. Mâruntel (Zwei Schnelltänze). Allegro
8. Allegro vivace
2. Brâul (Rundtanz). Allegro
3. Pe Loc (Stampftanz). Moderato
4. Bubiumeana (Kettentanz). Moderato
5. Poarga românesca (Rumänische Polka)
6. Allegro
7. Mâruntel (Zwei Schnelltänze). Allegro
8. Allegro vivace
The melody of the first movement, according to Bartók, came from Mezőszabad (present-day Voiniceni) village that was part of Mezőcsávás (present-day Ceuașu de Câmpie) commune which was located in the Maros-Torda administrative county within Transylvania, and he first heard it when two gypsy violinists were playing it.
The second movement is a typical dance from Romania called Brâul, for which traditionally a sash or a waistband was used. This melody came from Egres (present-day Igriș), in the Banat region.
The third dance comes also from Egres (Igriș), but its theme is much darker and its melody recreates Middle Eastern instruments, such as the flute.
The fourth dance came from Bucsony, Alsó-Fehér County (today Bucium, Alba county in Romania).
The fifth dance is an old Romanian dance similar to the Polka and comes from Belényes (present-day Beiuş, in Bihor county), near the border between Hungary and Romania.
The sixth and last dance is formed by two different melodies: the first one comes from Belényes (present-day Beiuș) and the second one comes from the then named Nyagra (present-day Neagra) village within the Palotailva (present-day Lunca Bradului) commune.
Both on the orchestral version and on the original piano version, these two dances are performed without a discernible pause, the reason for which is anyone's guess.
