"Many people think it is a comparatively easy task to write a composition on found folk tunes... This way of thinking is completely erroneous. To handle folk tunes is one of the most difficult tasks; equally difficult, if not more so, than to write a major original composition. If we keep in mind that borrowing a tune means being bound by its individual peculiarity, we shall understand one part of the difficulty. Another is created by the special character of folk tune. We must penetrate it, feel it, and bring out its sharp contours by the appropriate setting... It must be a work of inspiration just as much as any other composition." - Bela Bartok. Includes English text.

Arranged for unaccompanied mixed voices by Paul Arma with English text by Eric Smith these pieces are from "Melodien der Rumanischen Colinda".

The original version of these choruses was an a cappella version; later an orchestral accompaniment was added. The piano reduction of the latter has merely been added to the present edition for rehearsal purposes when preparing the choir for a performance with orchestra. it is the composer's intention that performances should talk place either a cappella or with orchestra, but not with piano.

Songlist: Hussar, Only Tell Me, Loafer, Bread Baking, Don't Leave Me!, Teasing Song

Text in English, German and Hungarian.

Songlist: Four Old Hungarian Folksongs, Five Slovak Folksongs

"Many people think it is a comparatively easy task to write a composition on found folk tunes... This way of thinking is completely erroneous. To handle folk tunes is one of the most difficult tasks; equally difficult, if not more so, than to write a major original composition. If we keep in mind that borrowing a tune means being bound by its individual peculiarity, we shall understand one part of the difficulty. Another is created by the special character of folk tune. We must penetrate it, feel it, and bring out its sharp contours by the appropriate setting... It must be a work of inspiration just as much as any other composition." - Bela Bartok

Songlist: Mocking of Youth - from Four Women's Choruses, Spring, Enchanting Song

Based on the Béla Bartók Complete Critical Edition (Z. 15009), this volume includes Bartók's complete works for children's and female voices. The lyrics in this Urtext edition are in the original languages, but literal English translations are provided in the appendix, which also includes English versions of those of the 27 Two- and Three-Part Choruses that were authorized by the composer. The edition is complete with an informative preface (in Hungarian, English, and German) and detailed Editorial Comments (in Hungarian and English). The Comments give an overview of the textual, folk-music, and compositional sources, and provide detailed information on the performance practice of Bartók's choral works. The edition has been printed on high-quality and environmentally-friendly paper. This volume is also available cloth-bound, along with the volumes for male voices and for mixed voices, in slipcase (HL50603804). Separate editions of each work included in this volume are also available.

Based on the Béla Bartók Complete Critical Edition (Z. 15009), this volume includes Bartók's complete works for male voices. The lyrics in this Urtext edition are in the original languages and in the translations authorized by the composer. Literal English translations are provided in the appendix, which also includes the early version of Four Hungarian Folk Songs and the German version of movements 3 to 6 from Székely Folk Songs. The edition is complete with an informative preface (in Hungarian, English, and German) and detailed Editorial Comments (in Hungarian and English). The Comments give an overview of the textual, folk-music, and compositional sources, and provide detailed information on the performance practice of Bartók's choral works. The edition has been printed on high-quality and environmentally-friendly paper. This volume is also available cloth-bound, along with the volumes for children's and female voices and for mixed voices, in slipcase(HL50603804). Separate editions of each work included in this volume are also available.

Based on the Béla Bartók Complete Critical Edition (Z. 15009), this volume includes Bartók's complete works for mixed voices. The lyrics in this Urtext edition are in the original languages and in the translations authorized by the composer. Literal English translations are provided in the appendix. The edition is complete with an informative preface (in Hungarian, English, and German) and detailed Editorial Comments (in Hungarian and English). The Comments give an overview of the textual, folk-music, and compositional sources, and provide detailed information on the performance practice of Bartók's choral works. The edition has been printed on high-quality and environmentally-friendly paper. This volume is also available cloth-bound, along with the volumes for children's and female voices and for male voices, in slipcase (HL50603804). Separate editions of each work included in this volume are also available.