Dance for Strings, Percussion and Piano

Béla Bartók is still one of the world’s most well known composers and folklorists. Despite this there are not many who are aware of the intricate paths and influences within his work. In his own special way, he respected and gravitated towards the traditional folk music culture and this became a part of his unique compositional genius. Bartok composed in a new and unique way that managed to capture the spirit and strength of traditional music.

Bartók had many links to Slovakia, as a folklorist and performer as well as his own personal connections. Firstly through his mother, but also through the conservatorium were he studied and the many concerts he performed in what is today a part of Slovakia. He traveled many times to the regions of Gemer, Nitra, Hont and Zvolen. His collections of traditional songs have since been published in many places.

The production Dance for Strings, Percussion and Piano is a look at the influence of traditional music and dance on Bartók's particular compositional genius. This can be seen through the rhythm and dynamics of the traditional dance/music and the differences between this and western music and harmonies. Bartok managed to bring out the depth and spirit of traditional dance in his work. This was one of the biggest influences in his music, seen in his use of dance forms and his many references to dance. In Bartók's work the dance can be heard. In this production the director is trying to see the music in the dance. The same music that was so inspiring to Bartok.

Dušan Hégli has been studying life and work of Bartók for many years. The production, Honti igricek (Musicians from Hont) premiered in 2001 was inspired by Bartók´s description of the bagpipe competition in Šahy. In Felföldi levelek (Letters from Upper Lands) 2005 his letters and works are incorporated. In this performance traditional dance and music combine to explore the life path of Bartok. The inserted music and pictures, authentic presentation, live music, costume and staging together help us to understand how his life, experiences and thoughts effected and influenced his works.

Pictures, letters, phonograph recordings, dances, musical collections, memoirs, Bartók´s music and writings, all these come together with its creator to form a 'film within'... it is the performance of Dance for Strings, Percussion and a Piano.