Kodály composed the piano version of this work in 1927 and decided its colorful, folk-inspired music would adapt well to a larger setting. The 1930 orchestral rendition, while not a standard repertory item, is the more popular of the two versions of the work today. Kodály, like his compatriot and friend Bartók, devoted much time to the collection and arrangement of folk music. The six tunes used here he collected from Marosszek, a town in the Szekely region of eastern Hungary. He revealed that the folk sources of these dances are Transylvanian and date back several centuries. The piece opens with a catchy theme whose ethnic character exudes a colorful exoticism and passion. Eventually, Kodály works the music into a more intense, fiery manner, after which he introduces the next theme, a livelier and equally colorful tune. But the opening melody soon returns, now in a bigger, more epic guise. Then several more themes follow, with the main one reappearing between them. Kodály presents the material with a fine sense for contrast and color, playful and carefree music, for example, being followed by dramatic, exotic, and almost frenzied music. A mood of festivity and merriment closes out the work in grandly colorful style. This piece typically has a duration of 12 or 13 minutes.

© All Music Guide