Bartók composed numerous piano pieces based on folk music materials from Hungary, Romania, and other regions from around 1907 to 1920, and this Sonatina is one such work.

It consists of three movements and is technically straightforward, comparable to the level of completing Mikrokosmos Volumes 1 and 2. However, it is rich in rhythm and structured to create an effective stage performance.

Throughout his life, Bartók maintained a passion for piano works for children. Besides the Sonatina, other notable piano educational works include:

• Ten Easy Piano Pieces
• For Children
• Romanian Christmas Carols
• Romanian Folk Dances
• For Beginners on the Piano
• Mikrokosmos

Incidentally, the Sonatina was orchestrated by Bartók himself in 1931 and named Transylvanian Dances. Furthermore, an arrangement for violin and piano by André Gertler is also well-known.

First Movement: Bagpipers / No.1 "Dudasok" Allegretto

A three-part form (A-B-A). The A section is based on the Ardeleana dance from the Hunyad region. A bagpipe scale consisting of the notes D, E, F#, G#, A, B, and C is used. This is a mixed Lydian and Mixolydian scale with D as the tonic, which Bartók later frequently employed. The B section is based on a folk dance from the Bihar region, featuring repeated melodic patterns within a narrow range.

Second Movement: Bear Dance / No.2 "Medvetanc" Moderato

Written in the Dorian mode with A as the tonic. The melody of the Bear Dance from Maramureș appears alternately in the right and left hands and is repeated twice.

Third Movement: Finale / No.3 "Finale" Allegro vivace

A two-part form (A-B). The A section is based on the Maruntel dance from the Maros-Torda region, in the Lydian mode with G as the tonic. The B section is based on the Bábaleuca dance from the Trantár region, in G major. It is noteworthy that the note D is dominant throughout the entire piece.