If you are a fan of Bela Bartok, the Hungarian composer, pianist and ethnomusicologist, you might be interested in listening to his music arranged for guitar by Roberto Pugliese, an Argentine musician, composer and arranger. Pugliese has created beautiful and precise guitar versions of some of Bartok’s most famous works, such as the Romanian Folk Dances, the Mikrokosmos, the For Children and the Six Dances in Bulgarian Rhythm. You can enjoy these arrangements on YouTube, where Pugliese has uploaded a playlist of 18 videos with his performances. You can also download the sheet music for each piece from his website, where you will find the scores in PDF format, with tablature and standard notation.
Why Bela Bartok and Guitar?
Bela Bartok (1881-1945) was one of the most influential composers of the 20th century, who combined his classical training with his passion for folk music, especially from Eastern Europe. He collected and analyzed thousands of folk songs and dances, and incorporated their melodies, rhythms and modes into his own compositions. He created a unique musical language, rich in harmony, polyphony and contrast, that challenged and inspired generations of musicians and listeners.
Although Bartok was primarily a pianist, he also had an interest in the guitar, and wrote a few pieces for the instrument, such as the Sonata for Guitar (1926) and the Three Folksongs from the County of Csík (1933). He also admired the guitar works of his contemporaries, such as Manuel de Falla, Heitor Villa-Lobos and Joaquín Rodrigo. However, most of his music was not originally conceived for the guitar, and therefore requires a careful and creative adaptation to make it playable and enjoyable on the six strings.
Roberto Pugliese
That is where Roberto Pugliese comes in. Pugliese is a versatile and talented guitarist, who has a long and successful career as a performer, composer and arranger. He has played and recorded with many famous artists, such as Astor Piazzolla, Mercedes Sosa, Ariel Ramírez and Horacio Salgán. Also composed and arranged music for films, theater, ballet and television. He is especially known for his work in the genre of tango, where he has created original and innovative guitar versions of classic and modern tango songs and instrumental pieces.
Pugliese has a deep admiration and respect for Bartok’s music, and has dedicated many years to study and arrange it for guitar. He has chosen some of Bartok’s most representative and popular works, and has transcribed them with fidelity and creativity, preserving their essence and spirit, while adapting them to the technical and expressive possibilities of the guitar. He has also added his own personal touch, with subtle variations and embellishments, that enhance the beauty and charm of Bartok’s music.
How to Listen and Play Bela Bartok’s Guitar Arrangements by Roberto Pugliese?
If you want to listen to Bela Bartok’s guitar arrangements by Roberto Pugliese, you can do so on YouTube, where Pugliese has uploaded a playlist of 18 videos with his performances. You can access the playlist by clicking here. You will find the following pieces in the playlist:
If you want to play Bela Bartok’s guitar arrangements by Roberto Pugliese, you can do so by downloading the sheet music for each piece from his website. You can access the website by clicking here. The scores in PDF format, with tablature and standard notation, for a very affordable price. You can also find other sheet music by Pugliese, such as his tango, vals, milonga and folklore arrangements, as well as his original compositions.
Conclusion
Bela Bartok’s guitar arrangements by Roberto Pugliese are a wonderful way to enjoy and appreciate the music of one of the greatest composers of the 20th century, on one of the most expressive and versatile instruments. Pugliese has done a remarkable job of transcribing and interpreting Bartok’s music, with skill, taste and originality. Whether you are a listener or a player, you will find in these arrangements a source of inspiration, pleasure and challenge. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover and explore Bela Bartok’s guitar arrangements by Roberto Pugliese!
