Béla Bartók ( 1881 – 1945) was a Hungarian composer, pianist, and ethnomusicologist, widely regarded as one of the most important and innovative composers of the 20th century. His music is known for its bold rhythms, complex harmonies, and integration of folk music from Eastern Europe. Alongside his contemporary Zoltán Kodály, Bartók travelled extensively through rural Hungary and neighbouring regions, recording and transcribing thousands of traditional songs, which deeply influenced his own compositional style.

Bartók’s major works include the Concerto for Orchestra, Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, and Six string quartets