that what generally passed as Hungarian folk music was actually gypsy music arranged according to conventional Central European standards. With his friend the Hungarian composer Zoltn Kodly, Bartk systematically collected and analysed Hungarian and other folk music, a collaboration that resulted in 12 volumes of folk songs. Bartk rarely incorporated folk songs into his compositions; rather, he assimilated into a powerful personal style the scales and melodic contours and the driving, often asymmetrical rhythms of Balkan and Hungarian folk music. His music always has a tonal centre, but this is usually established in personal, only partially traditional ways. The six-volume Mikrokosmos (1935), consisting of 150 progressively graded piano pieces, constitutes a summary of his development, as do his six string quartets, considered among the most important string quartets after those of Ludwig van Beethoven. Bartk did research at Columbia University (1940-41) and taught music in New York City, living in financial stress. He died of leukaemia in New York City, September 26, 1945. Differences: Bach, Mozart, BartkBach Mozart Bartk At the forefront of the baroque composers. Studied with Buxtehude and Lbeck. Very classical. He appreciated Bach and used Haydns sting quartets as models. Studied late Romantics. Strauss, Wagner, the impressionist Debussy and 20th Century Stravinsky. Largely self-taught. Taught mainly by father. Taught mainly by mother. Bach began to earn his own living as a chorister at around age five. Did not go to a musical academy. Began touring when he was around five. Accepted into the Budapest Royal Academy of Music at 18 and began as a concert pianist. Bach was constantly at odds with the local council. Mozart was apolitical. Intensely nationalistic. Got one months leave to study composition at age 10. Began composing regularly from age 5. Began actively composing at age 26. Bach was a craftsman but did not spend a long tim...
