Gertrude's Dream Waltz

Title page of 1854 US edition

"Gertrude's Dream Waltz" (German: '"Gertruds Traumwalzer"') is a waltz in B-flat major for solo piano which was attributed by its first publisher to Ludwig van Beethoven. It is catalogued as Anhang 16, nr. 2 in the Kinsky-Halm Catalogue of Beethoven fragments, attributions and works without opus number.[1] There is no evidence that Beethoven wrote the piece; he composed few waltzes, and it is not in the style of any of Beethoven's other compositions.[1][2]

The piece was first published in 1852 (25 years after Beethoven's death) by Fritz Schuberth in Leipzig, Germany.[1] It was first published in the United States in 1854 by J. E. Gould of Philadelphia, with variations by Charles Grobe, under the title "Enchanting Dreams" (and without any attribution to Beethoven).[3]

The piece has been arranged as chamber music.[4]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Mark S. Zimmer; Willem (2004). "Gertrude's Dream waltz for piano, Anhang 16, nr. 2". The Unheard Beethoven. Retrieved 31 May 2007. This waltz is almost certainly not by Beethoven (who wrote practically zero waltzes, and nothing in the style of this composition).
  2. ^ "GERTRUDE'S DREAM WALTZ". Music Dispatch Catalog. Retrieved 31 May 2007. Although this piece has been erroneously attributed to Beethoven, it remained a fixture of many student pianists' repertoire well into the 20th century.
  3. ^ "Gertrude's dream waltz, with variations, op. 425". Music for the Nation: American Sheet Music. US Library of Congress. Retrieved 4 June 2007.
  4. ^ Karen Moorman (July 2006). "Ciompi Quartet & Friends". Classical Voice of North Carolina. Classical Voice of North Carolina. Retrieved 9 June 2007. Inserting optional interludes ("Gertrude's Dream Waltz" by Beethoven and "When This Cruel War is Over" by Henry Tucker) seemingly intended to be quaint, the performers shared a convincing reading.