Romanian Christmas Carols

Béla Bartók’s Romanian Christmas Carols, Sz. 57, is a charming and evocative collection of folk melodies that capture the spirit of Romanian holiday traditions. Composed in 1915, the work is based on traditional carols that Bartók collected in Transylvania, a region rich in folk music heritage. Originally written for solo piano, the piece consists of two suites, each presenting a sequence of short, contrasting carols. This flute duet arrangement is suitable for intermediate to advanced players who want to explore the modal harmonies and irregular rhythms that are often found in Bartok’s interpretations of folk music.