Composer

:

Béla Bartók

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Duet

Compose Date

:

1931

Average_duration

:

1:25

Arabian Song, Sz. 98/42 is a solo piano piece composed by Béla Bartók in 1910. It was premiered in Budapest in 1911 by the composer himself. The piece is part of Bartók's early period, which was heavily influenced by folk music. Arabian Song is a short piece, consisting of only one movement. It is characterized by its use of exotic scales and rhythms, which give the piece a distinctly Middle Eastern flavor. The piece is in the key of D minor and is marked "Andante rubato," indicating a flexible tempo. The piece begins with a simple melody in the right hand, accompanied by a repetitive pattern in the left hand. The melody is then repeated with slight variations, and the left hand accompaniment becomes more complex. The middle section of the piece features a more rhythmic and percussive texture, with the left hand playing a syncopated pattern while the right hand plays a melody in octaves. The piece ends with a return to the opening melody, which is played with a more elaborate accompaniment. Overall, Arabian Song is a relatively simple piece, but it showcases Bartók's early interest in folk music and his ability to incorporate exotic scales and rhythms into his compositions. The piece is also notable for its use of rubato, which was a departure from the strict rhythmic conventions of classical music at the time.

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