Agnes Kory

Bartok and Ethnomusicology: fiddle music in the ethnomusicological and compositional output of Béla Bartók

by Agnes Kory

SUMMARY: Alongside folk songs, Béla Bartók also recorded and notated a
vast body of instrumental folk music on his field trips. Of the instrumental melodies at least 600 account for fiddle music. Bartók diligently transcribed, grouped and classified all fiddle melodies.

Inevitably, fiddle music influenced some of Bartók's compositions. I shall summarize Bartók's vast ethnomusicological work and I shall present available data and some music examples for fiddle music in Bartók's compositions.

CV: Hungarian-born Agnes Kory is the founder and director of the Béla Bartók Centre for Musicianship, London, where specialised music studies including performance skills are offered and scholarship is fostered. The Béla Bartók Centre for Musicianship (BBCM) offers comprehensive music education for amateurs and children of all ages (from 20 months old toddlers to postgraduate students) as well as provides training courses for professional musicians.

Agnes Kory was principal cellist with the Royal Ballet (1970-72), cellist with the English National Opera (1974-87) and she gave solo- and chamber music recitals (cello, baroque cello, tenor-violin). Agnes Kory conducted choral and instrumental concerts and led study trips to Budapest, Bayreuth and St. Petersburg.