Written in 1838 at the height of his early fame, Poème d’Amour is Henselt’s most lyrical and personal work. Once called Andante et Allegro concertante, it unfolds as a three-part étude in the guise of a romantic declaration. The piece opens with a broad cantabile melody over flowing arpeggios—an idiom that became Henselt’s hallmark—followed by a passionate middle section in which each melodic note is encased in sonorous chords. In the final section, the melody returns with featherlight, cascading arpeggios that shimmer across the keyboard, creating one of Henselt’s most breathtaking effects.
The work exists in three versions, all included in this edition. The first, published in 1838, was soon followed by a simplified alternative. Six months later, Henselt revised the piece entirely, producing a final version that synthesises earlier ideas. This Urtext edition presents all three, offering insight into Henselt’s evolving conception of the piece and allowing performers to choose the version that best suits their interpretation.
Quick Overview
- Composer: Adolf von Henselt (1814–1889)
- Edition: Urtext (FE003)
- Pages: 28 (24 + IV) pages.
- Difficulty: Level 7 / 10
- Editor: Martijn Vromans
- Paper: A4, 120 gsm cream (Clairefontaine)
- Binding: Black steel wire binding
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.