Béla Bartók (1881-1945), composer and pianist, was one of the greatest national and international composers of the first half of the 20th century. He drew on folk music and new Western European trends to create an entirely individual, original style. His art combines the Hungarian and international life feeling.
His third and last stage work, THE MIRACULOUS MANDARIN, is close to visual art in its mood and colours. Bartók’s continuous response to artistic trends can be felt in the work, without it becoming one-sided. In both the ideological and artistic respects he found a solution in a contradictory world which has a great influence on the art of our age. One of his most colourful works, The Miraculous Mandarin is a pantomime piece which is important for the related arts. Its atmosphere also inspires works of fine arts. This is why we have invited the artists of the Society of Inner City Artists to create works of fine and applied arts as a tribute to the memory of the great composer and musicologist.

On the occasion of the exhibition the Inner City Quartet and invited guests will give a big free concert in the Nádor Gallery among the works inspired by Bartók.