Bartók viewed folk music as a 'phenomenon of nature' and used Fibonacci numbers and the Golden Section as a basis for his compositional synthesis.
Historical Context
Béla Bartók's birthplace, Nagyszentmiklos, became part of Romania after World War I, meaning he would be considered a Romanian composer if born later.
Composer Biography
Bartók was not only a great composer but also one of the 20th century's great ethnomusicologists, deeply researching folk music.
Composition History
The 44 Duos were originally commissioned by German musicologist Erich Döflein for a beginner's violin manual, with Bartók providing progressively easier pieces.
Compositional Technique
The 44 Duos are based almost entirely on peasant melodies, with only two exceptions, and draw material from a wide Central European geographical range.
Critical Reception
Musicologist Serge Moreux stated in 1949 that a detailed knowledge of Bartók's 44 Duos is essential for understanding his larger compositions.
