Six Pieces from First Term at the Piano by Béla Bartók arranged by Paul Burnell for instruments in four parts.

The download comprises score and parts.

Duration 4:45

I Allegro Deciso (No. 17) II Andante (No. 14) III Waltz (No. 18, Keringo) IV Folk Song: Moderato (No. 7, Népdal) V Where Have You Been, My Lamb? - Folksong (No. 13, Hol jártál, báránykám? - Népdal) VI Folksong: Allegro (No. 10, Népdal)

The arrangement is suitable for multiple quartet combinations with parts available (and potential instrumentations suggested) as follows:

Part 1: C, Eb (flute, oboe, alto recorder, Eb clarinet, violin 1) Part 2: C, Bb (oboe, tenor recorder, Bb clarinet, violin 2) Part 3: C - alto & bass clefs, Bb, Eb, F (Bb clarinet, bass recorder, alto saxophone, horn in F, viola) Part 4: C - bass clef, Bb, F (bassoon, great bass recorder, tenor saxophone, horn in F, 'cello)

Part 4 may be played an octave lower than written.

Any other appropriate instruments, even if not suggested above, may play.

Although the score is presented with a layout appropriate for string quartet this does not indicate a preferred instrumentation.

Performers may wish to consider playing each movement through more than once and, in an ensemble with more than four players, varying the instrumentation for each iteration.

The arrangements maintain the keys of the original piano pieces, but many sections have been transposed at the octave.

The original metronome indication in Folksong: Allegro has been maintained, but performers may prefer a faster speed.

Programme note:

‘First Term at the Piano’ (‘Kezdök zongoramuzsikája’ – piano music for beginners) is a collection of pieces for first-year piano students. The collection was collaboration with Sándor Reschofsky with Béla Bartók writing eighteen of the short pieces. The volume was published in 1913 and was intended as the first of a five-volume piano instructional series. This arrangement features six of Bartók’s contributions: Allegro Deciso, Andante, Waltz, and three Folksongs.