Book excerpt: In profound ways, music in the twentieth century reflects the influence of Béla Bartók. His compositions remain at the heart of the modern repertoire, and his scholarly writings on music and his studies of folk music continue to inspire new generations of scholars and musicians. Bartók Perspectives seeks to paint a complete portrait of this complex figure, presenting essays from a wide range of perspectives and disciplines. The book collects new work by leading scholars and important new voices on Bartók. While each essay can be read independently, together they provide a coherent view of Bartók's life and work. The book includes integrative theoretic-analytical approaches to Bartók's musical language and studies of his system of composition from its early stages to maturity. It also includes explorations of Bartók's folk-music materials in connection with his fieldwork, transcription techniques, classification methodology, and compositional influences. Many of the chapters examine the broad historical, philosophical, and cultural questions intimately linked to Bartók's work. Anyone with an interest in Bartók or in serious music in the twentieth century will find Bartók Perspectives an invaluable resource and guide.