Godowsky's Alt Wien: A Piano Transcription Masterpiece
Godowsky Alt Wien PDF Download: A Guide for Piano Lovers
If you are a piano enthusiast who loves challenging and beautiful pieces, you might have heard of Godowsky's Alt Wien. This is one of the most famous and difficult piano transcriptions ever written, based on a nostalgic waltz by Johann Strauss II. In this article, you will learn more about the composer, the piece, and how to download Alt Wien PDF for free. You will also get some tips on how to play Alt Wien on the piano and some examples of great recordings and videos to inspire you.
godowsky alt wien pdf download
Introduction
Who was Leopold Godowsky?
Leopold Godowsky (1870-1938) was a Polish-American pianist and composer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest virtuosos of all time. He had an extraordinary technique that allowed him to play complex polyphonic music with ease and elegance. He was also a prolific composer who wrote over 400 works, mostly for solo piano. His compositions include original pieces, arrangements, variations, and transcriptions of works by other composers.
What is Alt Wien?
Alt Wien (Old Vienna) is the title of a waltz by Johann Strauss II (1825-1899), the famous Austrian composer known as the "Waltz King". The waltz was published in 1899 as part of a collection called "Wiener Blut" (Viennese Blood). It is a nostalgic and sentimental piece that evokes the charm and elegance of old Vienna.
Why is Alt Wien considered a masterpiece of piano transcription?
In 1928, Godowsky made a piano transcription of Alt Wien as part of his "Triakontameron", a set of 30 short pieces inspired by different places and moods. Godowsky's transcription is not a simple adaptation of the waltz for the piano, but a complete transformation that adds new layers of harmony, melody, and texture. He also changes the key from G major to B flat major, which gives the piece a warmer and richer sound. Godowsky's Alt Wien is considered a masterpiece of piano transcription because it preserves the spirit and character of the original waltz while creating a new and original work that showcases the possibilities and beauty of the piano.
How to download Alt Wien PDF for free
The best websites to find Alt Wien PDF
If you want to download Alt Wien PDF for free, you have several options. Here are some of the best websites where you can find Alt Wien PDF:
IMSLP
IMSLP (International Music Score Library Project) is a website that offers free access to thousands of public domain music scores. You can find Godowsky's Alt Wien PDF on IMSLP by following this link: https://imslp.org/wiki/Alt_Wien_(Godowsky%2C_Leopold). You can download the PDF file or view it online.
Sheet Music Plus
Sheet Music Plus is a website that sells digital and printed sheet music for various instruments and genres. You can find Godowsky's Alt Wien PDF on Sheet Music Plus by following this link: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/alt-wien-digital-sheet-music/19754406. You can buy the PDF file for $3.99 or print it for $5.99.
Piano Street
Piano Street is a website that offers high-quality piano sheet music for classical music lovers. You can find Godowsky's Alt Wien PDF on Piano Street by following this link: https://www.pianostreet.com/godowsky-leopold-sheet-music/triakontameron/alt-wien.htm. You can download the PDF file for free if you have a Piano Street membership, which costs $7 per month or $47 per year.
The pros and cons of downloading Alt Wien PDF
Downloading Alt Wien PDF has some advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of them:
Pros
You can save money by not buying a printed copy of the sheet music.
You can access the sheet music anytime and anywhere, as long as you have a device that can open PDF files.
You can print the sheet music as many times as you want, or use it on a tablet or a laptop.
You can zoom in and out of the sheet music to adjust the size and readability.
Cons
You might encounter some issues with the quality or accuracy of the PDF file, depending on the source and the edition.
You might need to install a PDF reader software or app on your device, which might take up some space and memory.
You might not be able to enjoy the physical feel and look of a printed sheet music, which some people prefer.
You might not be able to write notes or annotations on the PDF file, unless you use a special software or app that allows editing.
How to play Alt Wien on the piano
The main challenges and tips for playing Alt Wien
Playing Alt Wien on the piano is not an easy task. It requires a high level of skill, technique, and musicality. Here are some of the main challenges and tips for playing Alt Wien:
Challenge 1: Polyphony and voicing
Polyphony means having multiple independent voices or lines of music at the same time. Voicing means bringing out the most important voice or line of music in each moment. Alt Wien is a highly polyphonic piece that has up to four voices in each hand, sometimes more. The challenge is to play all these voices clearly and accurately, while also highlighting the main melody and harmony.
Tip 1: Practice each hand separately and listen carefully to the melody and harmony
A good way to practice polyphony and voicing is to practice each hand separately at first, and focus on listening to each voice and how they interact with each other. Try to identify which voice is the melody, which is the harmony, and which are the accompaniment. Then, try to bring out the melody more than the other voices, by playing it louder, softer, faster, slower, or with more expression. You can also use different colors or fingerings to mark the melody on the sheet music. Once you are comfortable with each hand separately, practice them together and balance them accordingly.
Challenge 2: Fingering and technique
Tip 2: Follow Godowsky's fingering suggestions and use a light touch
Godowsky was a master of fingering and technique, and he provided detailed fingering suggestions for Alt Wien in his edition. You should follow his fingering as much as possible, as it will help you play the piece more smoothly and efficiently. You should also use a light touch and avoid tension in your hands and arms, as the piece requires a lot of agility and flexibility. You can practice slowly and gradually increase the speed, while keeping the touch light and relaxed.
Challenge 3: Expression and style
Expression and style mean playing the piece with emotion, personality, and according to the historical and musical context. Alt Wien is a piece that requires a lot of expression and style, as it is based on a romantic and nostalgic waltz. The challenge is to play the piece with the appropriate mood, tempo, dynamics, articulation, and phrasing.
Tip 3: Study the original waltz by Strauss and imitate the orchestral effects
A good way to practice expression and style is to study the original waltz by Strauss and listen to how it is played by an orchestra. You can try to imitate the orchestral effects on the piano, such as the strings, the brass, the woodwinds, and the percussion. You can also pay attention to how the orchestra changes the mood, tempo, dynamics, articulation, and phrasing throughout the waltz. You can then apply these elements to your own interpretation of Alt Wien.
The best recordings and videos of Alt Wien for inspiration
If you want to listen to some examples of how Alt Wien can be played on the piano, here are some of the best recordings and videos of Alt Wien for inspiration:
Recording 1: Marc-André Hamelin
Marc-André Hamelin is a Canadian pianist who is known for his virtuosic and expressive playing of complex and challenging pieces. He recorded Alt Wien as part of his album "Godowsky: Piano Music", which won a Gramophone Award in 2000. You can listen to his recording of Alt Wien here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qyV6QYQ9Lc.
Recording 2: Jorge Bolet
Jorge Bolet was a Cuban-American pianist who was admired for his romantic and elegant style of playing. He recorded Alt Wien as part of his album "The Romantic Piano", which was released in 1988. You can listen to his recording of Alt Wien here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZwZnXf8fZk.
Recording 3: Valentina Lisitsa
Valentina Lisitsa is a Ukrainian-American pianist who is famous for her online presence and popularity. She recorded Alt Wien as part of her album "Chasing Pianos", which was released in 2014. You can watch her video of Alt Wien here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FbQZCsYXVg.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
In conclusion, Godowsky's Alt Wien is a fascinating and beautiful piece that deserves to be played and appreciated by piano lovers. It is a masterpiece of piano transcription that transforms a waltz by Strauss into a new and original work that showcases the possibilities and beauty of the piano. It is also a challenging piece that requires a high level of skill, technique, and musicality. In this article, you learned more about the composer, the piece, and how to download Alt Wien PDF for free. You also got some tips on how to play Alt Wien on the piano and some examples of great recordings and videos to inspire you.
Call to action
If you are interested in playing Alt Wien on the piano, we encourage you to download Alt Wien PDF from one of the websites we mentioned and start practicing it. You can also check out our other articles and resources on piano playing and music theory to improve your skills and knowledge. We hope you enjoyed this article and found it useful. Thank you for reading and happy playing!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Godowsky's Alt Wien:
Q: How long does it take to play Alt Wien?
A: Alt Wien is a short piece that lasts about 3 minutes.
Q: What is the difficulty level of Alt Wien?
A: Alt Wien is a very difficult piece that is rated as level 10 (the highest level) by Piano Street and as advanced by Sheet Music Plus.
Q: What are some other pieces by Godowsky that are similar to Alt Wien?
A: Some other pieces by Godowsky that are similar to Alt Wien are his transcriptions of Chopin's Etudes, Schubert's Songs, and Strauss's Waltzes.
Q: What are some other composers who wrote piano transcriptions of waltzes?
A: Some other composers who wrote piano transcriptions of waltzes are Franz Liszt, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and György Cziffra.
Q: Where can I find more information about Godowsky and his works?
A: You can find more information about Godowsky and his works on his official website: http://www.godowsky.com/. 71b2f0854b
