This work investigates the initial compositional structure and harmonic language of Bela Bartok's Rhapsodie Op. 1 for piano. The text serves as a primary source document, presenting the composer's early creative intent before subsequent revisions. It provides musicologists and performers with the raw material necessary to analyze the evolution of Bartok's stylistic development during his formative years.

Experts treat this score as a foundational document for understanding Bartok's early compositional techniques. Musicians frequently note that the lack of editorial intervention in this version allows for a direct study of the composer's original notation.