Béla Bartók (1881-1945) produced many great works; not only his own compositions, but also great collections and analyses of Eastern European folk music. "Hungarian Pictures" (BB103) was written between 1931 and 1933. Bartók recomposed and orchestrated 5 pieces from his early piano works. These were based on Hungary folk music, and he re-titled this work Hungarian Pictures.
This woodwind octet transcription was commissioned by Ome Municipal 3rd Junior High School Wind Band. The first, second & fifth movements were transcribed, and were first performed by woodwind octet of the band on 26 December, 2006.
The first movement, "Evening in Transilvania (Este a székelyeknél)", and the second movement, "Bear Dance (Medvetánc)", were arranged from "10 Easy Piano Pieces" (BB51). In the second movement, ostinate (8th note second) is played by snare drum in orchestra. It represents rhythm of drum which featured during traditional bear dance performances. The third movement, "Swineherd's Dance (Kánástánc)", is arranged from "For Children" (BB53) Vol.1. This music was a variation on one melody, and was played by a recorder and bagpipe in the original folk tune.