The effect of nationalism on the music of Béla Bartók

In this study, nationalism, which has a great influence on musical history, is examined and also researches and presentations are included on its effects on the music of Béla Bartók, a Hungarian nationalist composer. Béla Bartók's adventure which started in many different countries by his interest in folk music, reached till Turkey. Béla Bartók, who conducted important studies in our country, went to the rural places and villages of Anatolia and examined Turkish folk music by compiling folk songs. As a result of his survey and compilation, he reached the conclusion that Turkish and Hungarian folk music have much in common; for instance, they both have similar harmony, rhythm and melody. In the first part of the study, nationalism is defined; its provision of art is examined by emphasizing on its meaning and development process; and finally national music in different countries is touched upon. In the second part, Béla Bartók's life and music style are examined. In the third part, the effect of nationalism on Béla Bartók's music and the pieces made under the effect of nationalism are analyzed; and finally in the fourth part, Béla Bartók's compilation of Turkish music in Anatolia and similarities between Turkish and Hungarian music are explained. Keywords: Nationalism, Folk Music, Béla Bartók, Béla Bartók's music style, Béla Bartók's folk music collection, Béla Bartók and Nationalism.