The influence of folk music upon Bartok's solo piano works

The influence of folk music upon the solo piano music of Bela Bartok is examined, the opening chapters given to Bartok's thorough research in folk music and the characteristics of Hungarian folk music which he found. The three types of folk music that he discovered are outlined and illustrated, as well as the factors of rhythmic and melodic styles, scales, intervals, embellishments, and formal structure. Bartok's solo piano music written after 1906 reveals considerable influence of folk elements; the rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic characteristics are explored and illustrated.