Bartók's Monster – Stalking the dead composer through Transylvania (2013) (harpers.org)

If you found this interesting, I recommend Kirk's newer book on his traipsing around Transylvania, etc... called "Avoid the Day" (https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/avoid-the-day_jay-kirk/2130934...)

"...Bartók walking in the park one day with his wife, when a big wasp flies past — zzzzzzzzzzt — and, either fearful of the bug or just testing her husband’s entomological savvy, she says, “Béla, what was that?” And he goes: “G-sharp.”"

Now that’s a good piece of writing.

Very well-written article. Thank you for posting.

as someone who is from this region, thank you ! I had no idea.

"... he wandered the countryside on one of his peasant-hunting expeditions". Grissly hobby or article needed better reviewing.

I'm baffled by all the people saying this is good writing. This is self-indulgent, showoff writing by someone who cannot maintain a consistent voice. If you liked it, give the credit to Béla Bartók, who provided the topic that held your interest, and to the Transylvanians who have conserved and preserved an ethnic culture that provides endless fascination.

Yeah that was great :-) how unexpectly refreshing.

I recommend playing the Third String Quartet (https://youtu.be/K7yfyIDdDBk?t=21) at the same paragraph the author mentions it. Really helps visualize the "chimera."

As my partner is pretty much from that area, I really appreciate this small excursion from the typical topics on HN. Especially the small things, like the foods and the palinka :)