Bela Bartok and His Peers | Best 20th Century Composers

Introduction

In this article, we will compare and contrast the works of the composer Bela Bartok with those of two of his contemporaries: Ralph Vaughan Williams and Percy Grainger. All three were interested in incorporating folk music into their compositions. However, each composer had their own unique approach and style.

Composers

Bela Bartok

Béla Bartók (1881-1945) was a Hungarian composer, ethnomusicologist, and pianist who made significant contributions to the field of ethnomusicology and is considered one of the most important composers of the 20th century. He is known for his deep interest in folk music, which greatly influenced his compositions and his research into the musical traditions of Eastern Europe and other regions.

Bartok was born on March 25, 1881, in Nagyszentmiklós, in what is now Romania. He showed prodigious talent as a pianist from a young age and began composing music in his teens. He studied piano and composition at the Royal Academy of Music in Budapest and later in Berlin. His early works were influenced by Romantic and Impressionistic styles, but he eventually developed his own unique voice that incorporated elements of folk music and modernism.

Bartok’s interest in folk music began early in his career and became a central focus of his work. He embarked on numerous field trips to collect and transcribe traditional music from Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and other parts of Eastern Europe. He also traveled to North Africa and Turkey to study the music of those regions. His ethnomusicological research greatly influenced his compositions, which often incorporated folk melodies, rhythms, and forms. His deep understanding of folk music and his innovative use of these elements in his compositions earned him a reputation as a leading figure in the field of ethnomusicology.

Bartok’s compositions spanned a wide range of genres, including orchestral works, chamber music, choral music, and piano solos. Some of his most famous works include “Concerto for Orchestra,” “Six String Quartets,” “Out of Doors,” and “Mikrokosmos.” His music is known for its rich harmonies, complex rhythms, and evocative melodies, often reflecting the folk traditions of the regions he studied.

In addition to his composing and ethnomusicological research, Bartok was a highly regarded pianist and teacher. He gave numerous concerts as a pianist, performing his own works as well as those of other composers. Bartok also taught piano and composition at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, and his students included renowned composers such as György Ligeti and Zoltán Kodály.

Bartok’s music and research were not always well-received during his lifetime. His innovative compositions and unorthodox approaches to tonality and rhythm were sometimes met with resistance from traditionalists. However, his contributions to music and ethnomusicology were widely recognized after his death, and his work has had a lasting impact on the field of musicology and composition.

In addition to his musical achievements, Bartok was known for his strong political beliefs and activism. He was an outspoken critic of fascism and nationalism, and he actively supported causes such as social justice, anti-war efforts, and the rights of minorities. His political activities and his refusal to compromise his principles during Hungary’s turbulent political climate in the 1930s and 1940s led to his emigration to the United States in 1940.

Barok’s health deteriorated during his later years, and he struggled financially and professionally in his final years in the United States. He died on September 26, 1945, at the age of 64, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking compositions, pioneering ethnomusicological research, and a strong commitment to his artistic and political ideals. His music continues to be performed and studied worldwide, and his contributions to music and ethnomusicology have secured his place as one of the most important composers of the 20th century.

Percy Grainger

Percy Grainger (1882-1961) was an Australian-born composer, pianist, and folk music collector who lived during the late Romantic and early modern eras. His music is known for its colorful harmonies, complex rhythms, and imaginative use of folk melodies and styles

Percy Grainger was a highly original composer who was known for his idiosyncratic approach to composition. He was interested in exploring new sounds and textures, and he often used unusual instruments, such as the theremin, in his works.

One of Grainger’s most famous works is “Country Gardens,” a piano piece that was originally based on a traditional English folk song. Grainger arranged the tune for piano and added his own playful and inventive harmonies and rhythms. The piece is now considered a classic of the British light music genre.

Grainger was also interested in exploring the music of other cultures, and he incorporated elements of Eastern European and African music into his works. One example is his “Lincolnshire Posy,” a suite for wind band that is based on traditional English folk songs. The suite features highly imaginative and colorful orchestrations and is considered one of Grainger’s masterpieces.

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) was an English composer and conductor who made significant contributions to classical music in the early 20th century. He is known for his distinctive style that combined elements of English folk music, pastoral imagery, and rich harmonies, which earned him a prominent place in the canon of British classical composers.

Vaughan Williams was born on October 12, 1872, into a musical family. His father was a clergyman and his mother a pianist and singer, which exposed him to music from an early age. He showed an early aptitude for composition and began studying music at the Royal College of Music in London in 1890. His studies were interrupted by the outbreak of World War I, during which he served as a stretcher bearer and ambulance driver in France and Greece, an experience that deeply influenced his music.

After the war, Vaughan Williams became a prominent figure in the English musical scene. He was a champion of English folk music and was instrumental in collecting and preserving traditional songs and melodies from across England. He incorporated these folk elements into his compositions, creating a distinctive style that was deeply rooted in the English musical tradition.

Vaughan Williams’ works encompassed a wide range of genres, including symphonies, choral music, chamber music, and operas. Some of his most famous works include “The Lark Ascending,” “Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis,” “A Sea Symphony,” and “Dona Nobis Pacem.” His music is known for its rich harmonies, evocative melodies, and pastoral imagery, often depicting the English countryside and its people.

In addition to his composing, Vaughan Williams was a respected conductor and music educator. He held various positions as a conductor and lecturer, including at the Royal College of Music, and was known for his commitment to music education and his efforts to promote English music both in Britain and abroad.

Vaughan Williams’ music was widely recognized during his lifetime, and he received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. He was appointed a Fellow of the Royal College of Music, received the Order of Merit, and was awarded the British Empire Medal. His music continues to be performed and celebrated today, and he is considered one of the most important figures in British music history.

In addition to his musical achievements, Vaughan Williams was known for his humanitarian and social concerns. He was actively involved in various social causes, including pacifism, environmentalism, and social justice. He was a dedicated supporter of the English Folk Dance and Song Society and was involved in efforts to promote the preservation of England’s cultural heritage.

Ralph Vaughan Williams died on August 26, 1958, leaving behind a rich legacy of music that continues to be cherished and celebrated by musicians and audiences alike. His contributions to classical music, his commitment to promoting English folk traditions, and his social and humanitarian concerns have earned him a lasting place in music history as one of Britain’s most influential composers.

Comparisons and Contrasts

All three composers – Percy Grainger, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Béla Bartok – were interested in incorporating folk music into their compositions. However, each composer had their own unique approach and style.

Grainger was known for his highly inventive and imaginative approach to composition. He was interested in exploring new sounds and textures and often used unusual instruments in his works.

In contrast, Vaughan Williams had a more traditional approach to harmony and melody. His works were known for their lush harmonies and hauntingly beautiful melodies. He was interested in collecting and preserving English folk music, and his arrangements often featured traditional English folk tunes.

Bartok had a more complex and dissonant approach to harmony and rhythm. His works were known for their highly virtuosic and complex rhythms and harmonies, and he often incorporated elements of Eastern European folk music into his compositions. He was also interested in collecting and preserving traditional melodies, and his use of folk music in his works was more explicit than that of Grainger or Vaughan Williams.

Despite their differences, all three composers shared a deep love of folk music and were committed to incorporating it into their compositions. They also shared a commitment to preserving and promoting the music of their respective cultures.

One area where the composers differed was in their use of harmony. Grainger was known for his highly imaginative and inventive harmonies, which often featured unexpected chord progressions and unusual harmonies. In contrast, Vaughan Williams had a more traditional approach to harmony, with lush and rich harmonies that were often based on diatonic scales.

Bartok had a more complex and dissonant approach to harmony, with highly chromatic and atonal harmonies that often featured elements of Hungarian folk music.

Another area where the composers differed was in their use of rhythm. Grainger was known for his complex and syncopated rhythms, which often featured irregular meters and playful syncopations. Vaughan Williams had a more traditional approach to rhythm, with clear and regular rhythms that were often based on folk dance forms. Bartok had a highly complex approach to rhythm, with intricate and virtuosic rhythms that often featured elements of Eastern European folk music.

Finally, the composers differed in their use of melody. Grainger was known for his imaginative use of folk melodies, which he often transformed into highly original and inventive melodies. Vaughan Williams was known for his hauntingly beautiful melodies, which often featured a sense of nostalgia and longing. Bartok was known for his highly virtuosic melodies, which often featured wide leaps and intricate ornamentation.

Composition Highlight

Concerto for Orchestra is one of Bela Bartok’s most famous and frequently performed works. Composed in 1943, it is a vibrant and dynamic piece that showcases Bartok’s mastery of folk music, rhythmic intricacy, and innovative orchestration. The concerto is divided into five movements, each with its own distinctive character and features virtuosic solos for various instruments within the orchestra. Bartok’s use of Hungarian folk melodies, driving rhythms, and rich harmonies make this work a hallmark of 20th-century orchestral repertoire.

Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis is a lush and evocative work composed in 1910 for string orchestra. It is based on a theme by the English Renaissance composer Thomas Tallis, and is known for its rich and expansive harmonies, lyrical melodies, and its sense of mystery and spirituality. The work is divided into three sections, with the strings divided into multiple choirs, creating a sense of depth and space in the music. The Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis is considered one of Vaughan Williams’ most enduring and iconic works.

Lincolnshire Posy by Percy Grainger is a unique and colorful work for wind band, composed in 1937. It is a collection of six folk songs from Lincolnshire, England, that Grainger arranged for band and interwove into a suite-like structure. Each movement is based on a different folk song and showcases the unique character and charm of the original melodies. Grainger’s use of rich harmonies, inventive orchestrations, and virtuosic solos for various wind instruments make this work a beloved piece in the wind band repertoire.

Musical Style: Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra is known for its complex and intricate rhythms, use of folk melodies, and colorful orchestrations. Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis is characterized by its lush harmonies, lyrical melodies, and evocative use of string orchestra. Grainger’s Lincolnshire Posy is known for its inventive and virtuosic wind band writing, creative arrangements of folk melodies, and vibrant harmonies.

Nationalistic Influences: Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra reflects his deep interest in ethnomusicology and his incorporation of Hungarian folk music, rhythms, and scales into his compositions. Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis reflects his exploration of English folk traditions and his desire to create a distinctly English musical identity. Grainger’s Lincolnshire Posy is based on folk songs from Lincolnshire, England, and showcases Grainger’s passion for collecting and preserving folk music from different cultures.

Overall, while Bartok, Vaughan Williams, and Grainger were contemporaneous composers, each with their unique style and influences, they all made significant contributions to classical music. Their works are known for their inventive use of folk music, rich harmonies, and colorful orchestrations, and are considered iconic pieces in the classical repertoire.

Conclusion

Percy Grainger, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Bela Bartok were three highly influential composers who lived during the late Romantic and early modern eras. Each composer was interested in incorporating folk music into their compositions, but they had their own unique approach and style.

Bartok had a more complex and dissonant approach to harmony and rhythm, with highly virtuosic melodies that often featured elements of Eastern European folk music.

Grainger was known for his highly inventive and imaginative approach to composition, while Vaughan Williams had a more traditional approach to harmony and melody. Despite their differences, all three composers shared a deep love of folk music and were committed to incorporating it into their compositions, making them important figures in the history of music

Additional Reading

Now that you’ve learned about all Bela Bartok, take some time to learn about other composers.

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