This suite is avowedly Bartok's first composition incorporating the influences of his research into Hungarian folk music. The harmonic language is that of a mildly extended tonality. Bartok originally composed the work from 1905 through 1907, then revised it in 1943. Strings (including harps) and woodwinds dominate the orchestral sound, while the small brass section (only three horns and two trumpets) and percussion provide emphasis.

The first movement is marked comodo and provides an easygoing serenade in a mostly moonlit atmosphere. A solo cello introduces the movement's first thematic material over leisurely strummed harp chords, with its phrases echoed by groups of the upper strings. Eventually we get to a slightly faster section evocative of fairies and forest nymphs. Throughout the rest of the movement the harps strum chords to bring back the material from the beginning, usually played and varied by woodwinds. The subsequent Allegro scherzando is a boisterous, on-rushing movement which includes a long fugal section.

The bass clarinet begins the andante movement with an extended, evocative solo. Strings then take up a tender tune, which is not immune from tense invasions. Dramatic tension indeed builds throughout the movement, where the instrumental lines maintain their rhythmically supple nature.

At the beginning of the concluding comodo section, a solo bassoon alternates with higher woodwinds over repeated notes in the harps and timpani and sustained horn notes. In the second section the tone becomes more urgent, although all tension is resolved by the serene ending.

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