"Variations on a Theme by Bartok" by Cheryl Shantz

"Variations on a Theme by Bartok" was Cheryl's first composition which was written in 1972 while attending The Royal Academy of Music in England. Bela Bartok has always been one of Cheryl's favourite composers and the theme for this set of variations is taken from the opening of the first of Bartok's "Three Rondos on Slovak Folk Tunes." In the early 20th century, Hungarian composer Bela Bartok thought that folk music would be totally lost with people moving to the cities from the country. He and his colleague, Zoltan Kodaly, travelled extensively through Slovak, Romanian, Balkan, and adjoining countries, recording and transcribing hundreds of folk songs and folk dances. They did this very systematically classifying each song and dance. During the course of Cheryl's studies at The Royal Academy of Music, she grew increasingly enchanted by the beauty of folk music. Her compositions became a blend of folk and classical music, with a form incorporating the best elements of both. This folk/classical style can already be heard in "Variations on a Theme by Bartok," and it even found its way into Cheryl's later compositions for full Orchestra. She believes that folk music is a gift from the past that can reveal its secrets and simple truths in these complicated and uncertain times.