Composer

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Béla Bartók

Genre

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Keyboard

Style

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Character Piece

Compose Date

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1926 - 1939

Average_duration

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0:46

Alternating Thirds, Sz. 107/5/129 is a piano piece composed by Béla Bartók in 1918. It was premiered in Budapest on December 1, 1918, by the composer himself. The piece is part of Bartók's Mikrokosmos, a collection of 153 progressive piano pieces that were written between 1926 and 1939. Alternating Thirds is the fifth piece in the fifth book of Mikrokosmos. It is a short and lively piece that is characterized by its use of alternating thirds in the right hand. The left hand provides a simple accompaniment that consists of broken chords and octaves. The piece is in the key of C major and is written in 2/4 time. It consists of a single movement that is marked Allegro. The piece is relatively short, lasting only 16 bars, and can be played in under a minute. The main characteristic of Alternating Thirds is its use of alternating thirds in the right hand. This technique involves playing two notes that are a third apart in quick succession. The left hand provides a simple accompaniment that consists of broken chords and octaves. The piece is relatively simple in terms of its structure and harmony, but it is a challenging piece to play due to its fast tempo and the need for precise fingerwork. Overall, Alternating Thirds is a lively and energetic piece that showcases Bartók's skill as a composer and pianist. It is a popular piece among piano students and is often used as a teaching tool to help develop finger dexterity and coordination.

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