Béla Bartók
Etudes
Op. 18

About Béla Bartók's Etudes

In a letter written nearly two decades after the composition of these studies, Bartók admitted to a friend that "I cannot play the three Etudes. I haven´t played them – ever or anywhere – since 1918." They are contemporary with the pantomime The Miracoulous Mandarin, Op 19. With these two works Bartók entered his most radical, Expressionist phase (1918–22), influenced by Schoenberg. An important technical feature of all three studies is the alternating expansion and contraction of the hands.

ID:146
Preview TitleKey Year Level
1. Etude: Allegro molto Op. 18 No. 1  by Bartók piano sheet music AAB 1. Etude: Allegro molto N/A 1920 8+
2. Etude: Andante sostenuto Op. 18 No. 2  by Bartók piano sheet music AAC 2. Etude: Andante sostenuto N/A 1920 8+
3. Etude: Rubato Op. 18 No. 3  by Bartók piano sheet music AAD 3. Etude: Rubato N/A 1920 8+

Forum posts about the Etudes by Béla Bartók

Bartok etudes by pla635
I am wondering if anyone has played these supposedly monstrously difficult pieces.  I have read through them and they seem difficult bu...