Unit 6: Bartok and Concerto for Orchestra

Question 1

Dates

Answer 1

1881-1945

Question 2

Family Background and Education

Answer 2

Born in Hungary
Father was headmaster of an agricultural school and an amateur musician
Mother was a piano teacher
Started composing in 1890s; earliest works were dance pieces
First public concert at age eleven
Gained considerable attention as a concert pianist

Question 3

Life and Musical Career

Answer 3

First major success was his nationalist symphonic poem Kossuth
Searched for an authentic Hungarian “voice”; developed an interest of researching folk music at the source
Did not limit research to Hungarian folk music
Premiere of The Wooden Prince was highly successful; followed by premiere of his opera, Bluebeard’s Castle
Gave concerts all over Europe

Question 4

Musical Style and Contributions

Answer 4

Hungarian nationalism demonstrated through the use of folk elements such as non-traditional scales, irregular rhythms, phrase structures, and dance types
Expressionist elements are present in his opera, Bluebeard’s Castle
Also influenced by Stravinsky and primitivism
Displays a percussive approach to instrumental writing
Fond of compositional devices including palindromic forms and mathematical principles

Question 5

Genres and Titles

Answer 5

Kossuth, Bluebeard’s Castle, The Wooden Prince

Question 6

V: Ostinato

Answer 6

A short rhythmic or melodic pattern repeated throughout a section or a work

Question 7

V: Polytonality

Answer 7

Simultaneous use of two or more keys

Question 8

Concerto for Orchestra: Genre

Answer 8

Orchestral work

Question 9

Concerto for Orchestra: Compositional Date

Answer 9

1943

Question 10

Concerto for Orchestra: Structure

Answer 10

Five movements