Bela Bartok

1881- 1945

Composer

Hungarian composer Bela Bartok was born in the Banatian town of Nagyszentmiklós in the Kingdom of Hungary on March 25, 1881. He began playing at the age 4. Bartok gave his first public recital at age 11.

Bartok was known for integrating unusual Magyar musical themes and rhythms into his works, as well as for his unique approach to composition. A highly educated man, Bartok spoke fourteen languages and dialects. He served as a professor of piano at the Royal Academy in Music in Budapest, as well as a scholar in residence at Columbia University from 1940-42.