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A mysterious folk tune ignites Bart贸k's imagination. Donald Macleod explores the life of one of Hungary's greatest composers, who travelled Europe recording folk songs.

A mysterious folk tune ignites Bart贸k's imagination.

B茅la Bart贸k was regarded as one of Hungary鈥檚 greatest composers. His fellow countryman, the pianist Andras Schiff, called him 鈥渙ne of the giants in the history of music.鈥 But he was also one of the founders of what we now call ethnomusicology, spending much of his time immersed in peasant life, collecting folk songs. As around him Europe was torn apart by conflict, Bart贸k found relief in rural life and took inspiration from these traditional tunes, incorporating them into his own compositions.

In today's programme, Donald Macleod explores Bart贸k's early years and the chance encounter that changed the trajectory of his composing.

Romanian Folk Dances
91福利社 Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard

Rhapsody for piano, Op. 1, BB36a, Sz. 26
Alexandre Kantorow, piano

Kossuth Symphonic Poem Sz21
Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra, Zoltan Kocsis

Szekely Folksong, BB 34, "Piros alma"
Andrea Mel谩th, mezzo-soprano
Emese Vir谩g, piano

Produced by Alice McKee for 91福利社 Audio Wales & West

59 minutes

Last on

Mon 4 May 2026 16:00

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Music Played

  • B茅la Bart贸k

    Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 68

    Orchestra: 91福利社 Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Thomas Dausgaard.
    • ONYX : ONYX-4233.
    • ONYX.
    • 23.
  • B茅la Bart贸k

    Rhapsody for piano, Op. 1

    Performer: Alexandre Kantorow.
    • BIS : BIS-2380.
    • BIS.
    • 6.
  • B茅la Bart贸k

    Kossuth

    Performer: Zoltan Kocsis. Orchestra: Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra.
    • HUNGAROTON : HSACD-3205.
    • HUNGAROTON.
    • 1.
  • B茅la Bart贸k

    Kossuth

    Performer: Zoltan Kocsis. Orchestra: Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra.
    • HUNGAROTON : HSACD-3205.
    • HUNGAROTON.
    • 1.
  • B茅la Bart贸k

    Piros Alma (The Red Apple)

    Performer: Emese Virag. Singer: Andrea Melath.
    • HUNGAROTON : HCD 31909.
    • HUNGAROTON.
    • 6.
  • B茅la Bart贸k

    Edesanyam rozsafaja (My Mother's Rosebush)

    Performer: Emese Virag. Singer: Andrea Melath.
    • HUNGAROTON.

Broadcast

  • Mon 4 May 2026 16:00

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