Among more than twenty known verbunkos composers of his time Bihari occupies a special place - not so much as a 'composer' (in the sense that the word is used today) - but as a musician with ability the keep abreast of a Hungarian public that was growing in national consciousness.

His stirring music derived from traditional sources, from fashionable music demanded by his audiences, from his own inspiration, and from contemporary novelties. He was a 'creative' performer - as were the best of the gipsy band leaders - and was not concerned with the origins of his musical material.

This short monograhp describes Biharis's life, musical and social environment, and sheds light on his unquestionably important role in the history of Hungarian music.