Symphony Listening Program - Bartók

What

Symphony Listening Program - Bartók

When

9/22/2026

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Day 1: This week's feature composer is Bela Bartók.The feature composition is the first movement from Three Rondos on Slovak Folktunes.A rondo is one of the musical designs (or forms) composers use. Bartók created his rondoby composing several contrasting themes (or melodies). Then he arranged them in aspecial way. He began his rondo with the main theme; then he used one of the contrastingthemes. Next, Bart6k brought back the main theme followed by a second contrastingtheme. He continued this pattern until the end, finishing with the first main theme.

Day 2: This week's feature composer is Bela Bartók.The feature composition is the first movement from Three Rondos on Slovak Folktunes. Bartók used the musical design or form called rondo to create a piece that would show offthe different effects possible on the piano. In his rondo, he wrote a gentle hummingmelody for the main theme. Bartók wanted the piano to sound delicate, almost dreamy.It is no surprise to find that Bartók thought of quite contrasting musical ideas for thesecond and third themes.

Day 3: This week's feature composer is Bela Bartók.The feature composition is the first movement from Three Rondos on Slovak Folktunes.For the second theme of his rondo, Bartók wrote a bold, staccato theme with a drivingrhythm and a melody full of repeated notes-just the opposite of the dreamy and delicatebeginning. Bartók was not only a composer but a skilled pianist. He was very confidentabout how to use the different effects possible on the piano.

Day 4: This week's feature composer is Bela Bartók.The feature composition is the first movement from Three Rondos on Slovak Folktunes. Bartók liked the design of the rondo form. He knew he could use the rondo to show offthe piano. Bartók composed gentle music for the main theme, the one we hear manytimes. He wrote bold, staccato music for the second theme. What kind of effect do youthink Bartók was trying to achieve with his third theme? What words would you use todescribe it?

Day 5: This week's feature composition is the first movement from Three Rondos on SlovakFolktunes. Can you remember the composer's name? (Short pause.) If you are thinkingof Bela Bartók, you are correct. Bart6k was a Hungarian composer and a fine pianist. Heliked the design of the rondo form. Bartók wrote delicate music for his main theme, andthen used the contrasting themes to show the other possible sound effects possible on thepiano.