Antony Hermus & Simone Lamsma

This concert of the Bartók Festival invites you to explore his orchestral works most deeply influenced by folk and traditional music.

Star Soloists
Fri 06.02.2026 20:00
20260206 Simone Lamsma OTTOGRAFIE NL 14
© Otto Van Den Toorn
Fri 06.02.2026 20:00
Bozar
Bartók Festival – Take nóta!

As part of his ongoing research into traditional music, Bartók gradually integrated the folk elements he discovered into his compositions. In the Six Romanian Folk Dances, he drew inspiration from melodies originating in Transylvania. Initially titled Hungarian Folk Dances, the work was renamed in 1920 following Transylvania’s integration into Romania.

The Rhapsodies for Violin further develop Bartók’s stylistic exploration. Originally written for violin and piano, these rhapsodies demand greater virtuosity than the Six Dances, bringing folk traditions even closer to the classical concert stage. They were later orchestrated, incorporating traditional instruments such as the cimbalom.

The Dance Suite, composed in 1923 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the unification of Buda and Pest, reflects Bartók’s ethnomusicological research. However, rather than serving a patriotic purpose, Bartók also draws from Arab, Romanian, and other musical traditions, allowing them to coexist.

Created with the support of the Belgian Tax Shelter through Casa Kafka Pictures.

Programme

  • Béla Bartók Transylvanian Dances, Sz.96
  • Béla Bartók Rhapsody for violin No. 1, Sz. 87, BB 94
  • Béla Bartók Romanian Folk Dances, Sz.56, BB 68
  • Béla Bartók Dance Suite, Sz. 77, BB 86a

Artists

  • Antony Hermus Conductor
  • Simone Lamsma Violin
  • Tcha Limberger Violin

With the support of