Bartók’s interest in the music of Bach, Beethoven, and Debussy, and the desire to incorporate their styles in his music, is evident in his Second String Quartet. The work exhibits contrapuntal texture, classical form, and complex harmonies. All three movements are based on classical forms: the first movement is in sonata form, the second movement is in a rondo form, and the final movement is a sonatina. Debussy’s influence on this quartet is demonstrated by Bartók’s musical phrases that are built on seventh and ninth chords that descend in parallel motion, as well as the use of whole tone scales. The use of contrapuntal techniques and the polyphonic texture allude to Bach’s compositional style.

Works: Bartók: String Quartet No. 2, Sz. 67 (30, 32), Twenty Hungarian Folk Songs for Voice and Piano, Sz. 92 (32), For Children, Sz. 42 (32), Sonatina for Piano, Sz. 55 (32).

Index Classifications: 1900s

Contributed by: Nicolette van den Bogerd