“It is only as we discover the modal dimensions of Verdi’s, Wagner’s, Liszt’s and Mussorgsky’s music that we realize just how little we know about the Romantic roots of Bartók’s compositions. And yet, these roots are so deep and so vital! Truly, I feel that I owed this book to all Bartók research — past, present and future” — wrote Lendvai in the preface of his book.