Early Hungarian dances from the 17th century

In Hungarian music, folk songs are obviously of great importance, but our ancient airs and dances play a more modest role.

For this work, I was influenced by 17th century dances, written by unknown amateurs in a relatively simple style.

Most of these dances were written between the 14th and 18th centuries in the usual form of tablature notation.

My interest in this music was first captured in the 1940s. I was so fascinated that I decided to give these melodies new life. I assembled small eight bar dances into trios, I put together in the form of rondos and, using the harmony and counterpoint of the Old Baroque, I tried to recreate the atmosphere of a “provincial” Hungarian baroque style. — Ferenc Farkas

This suite of dances and its 17 adaptations have since acquired worldwide fame.