Constraint and Freedom. Kodály: Children’s Dances and 24 Little Canons on the Black Keys

Abstract

"The main goal of the article is to examine the constraints and freedom of the composer while using exclusively the notes of the pentatonic scale. For this purpose, we present Kodály’s two piano cycles written on the black keys from different perspectives. In connection with the cycle 24 Little Canons on the Black Keys the use of one-line letter notation pieces in solfege lessons will be introduced. From the other cycle, Children’s Dances, we analyze pieces in which elements from Hungarian folk music or verbunkos can be detected. Keywords: Kodály method, pentatonic scale, piano pieces, Hungarian folk music "