Béla Bartók - Production & Contact Info (original) (raw)

Born in the small Hungarian town of Nagy-Szentmiklos, composer Béla Bartok studied at a very early age at the Royal Academy of Music in Budapest. In 1907, after a sickly childhood that left him severely impaired, he took over as piano ...See moreBorn in the small Hungarian town of Nagy-Szentmiklos, composer Béla Bartok studied at a very early age at the Royal Academy of Music in Budapest. In 1907, after a sickly childhood that left him severely impaired, he took over as piano teacher at the same academy, succeeding his teacher Thomas. Until 1914, he composed extensively. By 1919, however, his musical style had taken a distinctly folkloric turn. He maintained close contact with Viennese composers, Arnold Schönberg in particular. In 1937, he took a stand against Nazism, and when war broke out, he left Europe for the USA with his wife, the pianist Ditta. Unwilling to compromise, his new life in exile was marked by increasing economic hardship. His wife lost her mind and when he disappeared in 1945, it was amidst general indifference. Written by Guy Bellinger See less