Béla Bartók (March 25, 1881 - Sept. 26, 1945) is certainly not an obscure name, but just like any composer, has works that aren't championed as well as others.  Born in Hungary, he showed significant musical talent at a very young age, and began studying music with his mother. Later on Bartok attended The Royal Academy of Music in Budapest, where he wrote his first major orchestra work, which we are looking at today: his symphonic poem Kossuth. It is not programmed anywhere near as often as his other works such as Concerto for Orchestra, Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta, or The Miraculous Mandarin. It seems oft overlooked, but is very much worth a listen.

Kossuth is a tribute to Hungarian politician Lajos Kossuth, a hero of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, and chronicles his attempt to win the independence of Hungary from Austria. It's a single movement work, though it has ten interrelated sections within:

1. Kossuth
2. Why are you so grieved, my dear husband?
3. The fatherland is in danger!
4. Formerly we had a better life...
5. Then our fate changed for the worse..
6. Up and fight them!
7. Come come! You splendid lads you valiant Hungarian warriors!
8. no title
9. All is over!
10. Everything is quiet, very quiet.

This symphonic story of Kossuth starts with a portrait of him, and a recounting of the revolution. The following movements depicts the Austrians by parodying their national anthem, in a minor key. There are elements in the work that are common in Bartok's works; his use of the Hungarian Gypsy scale (a modified harmonic minor scale) is scattered throughout the piece. Various dance rhythms known as which come from a variety of ethnic sources are used as well, and In the second to last section utilizes an altered theme from Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody. Influenced by his symphonic poems (and Richard Strauss' as well), Bartok borrows ideas from them both, such developing chromatic progressions and harmonies, while still keeping in with his own unique style and touches that make his compositions extraordinary.

Here are a few recordings of Kossuth to enjoy!

Buffalo Philharmonic
Budapest Symphony Orchestra
Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra