Allegro barbaro, BB 63 (Sz. 49), original for piano, composed in 1911, is one of Béla Bartók's most renowned and frequently performed piano solos. The title is a playful response to critics who labeled Bartók a "barbarian."
 
This piece exemplifies Bartók's signature style, incorporating elements of folk music. The composition blends Hungarian and Romanian scales; Hungarian peasant music typically uses the pentatonic scale, while Romanian music is predominantly chromatic.
 
Recording available - Listen here