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Henselt, Adolf von (1814 – 1889)

Grande Valse

FD005

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Edition

This is a downloadable product. Looking for our print edition on premium paper? Check out Henselt: Grande Valse.

Description

Spanning two decades of compositional activity, Henselt’s four Impromptus (1838–1859) offer a rare glimpse into the evolution of his musical voice. Though composed at different times, they form a cohesive set through their shared blend of lyrical depth and pianistic invention. Each piece explores a distinct emotional world—from introspective melancholy to dramatic fervour—while maintaining Henselt’s hallmark emphasis on legato touch and expressive nuance. The textures range from simple melodies veiled in swift figuration to rich polyphonic writing that evokes the illusion of multiple voices.

Notably, the later impromptus introduce greater contrapuntal complexity and structural ambition, as in the fugue-like opening of the fourth piece. The third impromptu, Illusion perdue, stands out for its poignant atmosphere and narrative arc. Together, these works highlight Henselt’s affinity for distilling a single affect into highly refined pianistic poetry, making them both technically rewarding and emotionally resonant.

Quick Overview

  • Composer: Adolf von Henselt (1814–1889)
  • Edition: Urtext (FE004)
  • File Format: PDF
  • Contents: 30 pages total (4 pages introduction and source commentary, 20 pages music)
  • Difficulty: Level 5–9 / 10
  • Editor: Martijn Vromans
  • Pages: 20 + IV pages.

About the Composer

Adolf von Henselt (1814–1889) was a German pianist and composer who spent much of his career at the court of St Petersburg. His lyrical pianism and innovative technique left a lasting mark on the Russian piano school, influencing generations of pianists including Rubinstein, Scriabin, and Rachmaninoff. As a composer, he combined virtuosity with expressive depth—qualities that earned him high praise from contemporaries such as Schumann and Liszt. Felix Editions reintroduces his work with a critical eye on the original sources.

Contents

  • Introduction
  • Grande Valse, "L'Aurore Boréale", Op. 30
  • Critical Commentary
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  • Premium Editions

    Our paper editions are pleasing to the eye: gorgeous and heavy cream paper produced in an environmentally friendly manner. We print our albums ourselves and use pigmented ink instead of toner. Due to the ink soaking into the paper, a beautiful print is created. All our albums are bound with a steel binding spine, so the albums last a long time and stand perfectly flat on the piano.