Composer

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Béla Bartók

Genre

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Keyboard

Style

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Keyboard

Compose Date

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1926 - 1939

Average_duration

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4:13

Béla Bartók's "Minor Seconds, Major Sevenths" is a piano piece that was composed in 1916. It is part of his larger work, "Six Dances in Bulgarian Rhythm," which is also known as "Mikrokosmos." The piece was premiered in Budapest in 1920. "Minor Seconds, Major Sevenths" is the sixth movement of "Mikrokosmos," and it is characterized by its use of dissonant intervals. The piece is written in the key of D minor and is marked "Allegro molto." The tempo is fast and the rhythm is complex, with frequent changes in meter and time signature. The piece begins with a series of rapid, staccato notes in the right hand, accompanied by a steady bass line in the left hand. The melody is then taken up by the left hand, while the right hand plays a series of arpeggios. The two hands then alternate in playing the melody, with the right hand playing a descending scale and the left hand playing a rising arpeggio. Throughout the piece, Bartók makes use of dissonant intervals, such as minor seconds and major sevenths, to create a sense of tension and unease. The melody is often fragmented and disjointed, with sudden shifts in dynamics and tempo. Despite its complexity, "Minor Seconds, Major Sevenths" is a highly expressive and emotional piece. It showcases Bartók's unique style, which blends elements of folk music with modernist techniques. The piece is a testament to Bartók's innovative approach to composition and his ability to create music that is both challenging and deeply moving.

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