Romanian Folk Dances - Flexible Woodwind Sextet-Octet

Béla Bartók (1881 - 1945) a prominent Hungarian composer and ethnic music scholar gathered and analyzed folk music throughout his life. Bartók also created an esoteric musical vocabulary from mathematical approaches such as "Golden Ratio" and "Fibonacci Sequence", as typified by Ernő Lendvai's "Béla Bartók An Analysis of his Music". However, this work does not reflect such complex theories, rather it represents more familiar music of Romanian folk songs.
This arrangement is for flexible woodwind ensemble. There are eight parts, where parts one and eight can be omitted, making it playable by a sextet. Parts five through eight are written for first year students. I made this arrangement to allow for different level performers to share the joy of making music.

I. Jocul cu bata
Dance music from the Transylvanian Alps of Maros-Torda. Notice the melodic line is frequently ornamented. Be attentive to the vertical alignment. Agogic accents will add vitality to the performance.

II. Braul
Peasant dance from Egres, Torontál County. Using moderate agogic accent at designated fermata will enhance the drama.

III. Pe loc
Dances collected from Egres, Torontál County. Part 1 is optional. If Part 2 is Fl., switch to Picc. If there is no Picc., it is possible to play it Fl. 8va., but it's a difficult range for Fl. Be attentive to the dialogue-like accompaniment between Parts 4 and 5.

IV. Buciumeana
Dance music from Bisztra, Torda-Aranyos County. Syncopated accompaniment needs attention.

V. Poarga romaneasca
Polka from Belényes, Bihor County. 3+3+2 rhythm and sf must be vertically aligned. If the grace notes in Parts 5 and 6 from bar 17 to the end are difficult, they may be omitted.

VI. Maruntelul
Dance from Belényes, Bihor County and Nyagra, Torda-Aranyos County. Since the tempo is fast and the tuplet is frequently used, attend to vertical alignment.

(Akihiko Nakamura)

Flexible Woodwind Sextet-Octet,FLMS-87076,FLMS-87076A,BRFLMS87076S,BRFLMS87076A