Composer

:

Ernst von Dohnányi

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1920

Publication Date

:

1925

First Performance

:

May 3, 1925

Average_duration

:

6:43

Ernst von Dohnányi's 'Valses nobles (after Schubert, D. 969)' is a set of twelve waltzes for piano, composed in 1913. The work was premiered in Budapest in the same year, with Dohnányi himself performing. The twelve waltzes are based on Franz Schubert's 'Valses nobles' (D. 969), which was originally composed for piano four hands. Dohnányi's arrangement for solo piano retains the elegance and charm of Schubert's original, while adding his own unique touches. The first waltz, marked 'Moderato', sets the tone for the entire set with its graceful melody and lilting rhythm. The second waltz, marked 'Allegro', is more lively and playful, with a syncopated accompaniment that adds a touch of whimsy. The third waltz, marked 'Andante', is more introspective, with a melancholy melody that is reminiscent of Schubert's lieder. The fourth waltz, marked 'Allegro vivace', is a virtuosic tour-de-force, with rapid runs and arpeggios that showcase the pianist's technical prowess. The fifth waltz, marked 'Moderato', is more subdued, with a gentle melody that is accompanied by delicate arpeggios. The sixth waltz, marked 'Allegro', is another lively and playful piece, with a syncopated rhythm that is reminiscent of ragtime. The seventh waltz, marked 'Andante', is one of the most beautiful pieces in the set, with a haunting melody that is accompanied by rich harmonies. The eighth waltz, marked 'Allegro vivace', is another virtuosic piece, with rapid runs and arpeggios that are interspersed with playful staccato passages. The ninth waltz, marked 'Moderato', is a gentle and lyrical piece, with a flowing melody that is accompanied by delicate arpeggios. The tenth waltz, marked 'Allegro', is a lively and energetic piece, with a syncopated rhythm that is reminiscent of a Viennese waltz. The eleventh waltz, marked 'Andante', is another introspective piece, with a melancholy melody that is accompanied by rich harmonies. The final waltz, marked 'Allegro vivace', is a triumphant and exuberant piece, with a lively melody that is accompanied by rapid runs and arpeggios. Overall, Dohnányi's 'Valses nobles (after Schubert, D. 969)' is a charming and elegant set of waltzes that showcases both the composer's skill as an arranger and his love for Schubert's music. The set is characterized by its graceful melodies, playful rhythms, and virtuosic passages, and is a testament to the enduring popularity of the waltz as a musical form.

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