ABSTRACT. Béla Bartók (one of the handful names that cannot be omitted in any of the 20th century music compendia) is an interesting example of the nature/nurture blending as related to creativity. Although nature marred him with a troubled childhood, hampered by disease and the early loss of his father (which would eventually resonate in the expressionist character of his early- to mid-life works), he managed to become one of the very beacons of the new ways music shaped for itself early 20th century. His most valuable legacy seems to emerge from his revelation of folklore, and the unique way in which he transferred it into his outstanding musical creation – a truly nurture aspect, to be sure.

Keywords: Béla Bartók; ethnomusicology; composing; piano interpretation; piano teaching