Gnomenreigen
About this arrangement
Liszt wrote the Two Concert Études in Rome around 1862-63 for Lebert and Stark's piano method, and dedicated them to Dionys Pruckner. Gnomenreigen means "Round Dance of the Gnomes".
Keep the sound soft and the fingers close to the keys. Loop the repeated-note passages at 50% tempo and go faster only while they stay light.
Start with short loops.
Use the section list as a practice map. Start at 50% tempo, loop one section, then return to the full piece once the hand shape feels stable.
Choose Right or Left to focus on one hand. Wait for note checks the highlighted notes as you play them on the screen or a connected MIDI keyboard.
Before you practice.
01 How hard is Gnomenreigen?
It's advanced. It's fast and mostly quiet, which is harder than it sounds, and the repeated notes and jumps need a lot of control.
02 How long is Gnomenreigen?
Our edition has 168 bars in 6/8.
03 What should I practise first?
The opening theme, right hand alone at 50% tempo. Aim for short, light notes before adding the left hand.
04 What does Gnomenreigen mean?
It's German for "Round Dance of the Gnomes". It's often called Dance of the Gnomes in English.