"Burlesque" refers to a musical piece with a "mischievous, playful" meaning, carrying a slightly more grotesque connotation than a scherzo. These three pieces appear to have been composed at intervals and later compiled, rather than being systematically structured and arranged from the outset. Although their characters are entirely different, all of them convey Bartók's playful spirit. The complete set was premiered in 1921.

No. 1: "Quarrel"

Composed in 1908. Originally conceived as a counterpart to "Portrait of a Girl," the first piece in Seven Sketches. An atmosphere reminiscent of a children's quarrel is created through accents that gradually become closer together and the clashing of notes played by the thumb. It consists of three parts with a meno vivo middle section. It is dedicated to Márta Ziegler, his piano student who later became his wife.

No. 2: "A Bit Drunk"

Composed in 1911. One of Bartók's favorite pieces, a recording by himself from 1929 exists. Furthermore, in 1931, he arranged it as the fourth movement of the orchestral work Hungarian Sketches. Through the exquisite use of tempo, rhythm, and rests, the image of a peasant staggering is depicted with a playful spirit. Clearly differentiate between the main chords and the auxiliary chords written in small notes.

No. 3: Molto vivo, capriccioso

Composed in 1910. A light and lively piece with many chromatic sonorities. Around the same time, his stage work Duke Bluebeard's Castle was composed, in which chromatic movement is used in motifs symbolizing sadness and tragedy. Fitting for a finale, the piece concludes with a brilliant climax.