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Topic: 6 Waltzes in The Blue Danube? Which one to learn first?  (Read 1201 times)

Offline caters

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6 Waltzes in The Blue Danube? Which one to learn first?
on: April 15, 2020, 03:07:28 AM
Hi. I found a piano transcription of The Blue Danube on IMSLP written by the composer himself. I looked at it and I was like:

Quote
Wait, there are 6 waltzes here? An introductory waltz and then 5 main waltzes? I've only ever heard the infamous D major waltz, be it orchestra or piano. I didn't realize there was so much more to the piece than just that one infamous waltz.

So, now, I'm wondering which of the 6 waltzes that comprise the piece "The Blue Danube" I should learn first. I mean, I usually start with the first part of a piece, but I haven't heard the introductory waltz or the 4 waltzes that follow the infamous D major waltz. So, should I start with the D major waltz, which is numbered 1 in the transcription I found? Or should I start with the introductory waltz? I plan on learning all 6 parts to the piece, I'm just wondering which one to do first.

Here is the transcription I am referring to by the way:

https://ks.imslp.net/files/imglnks/usimg/2/2a/IMSLP16772-Strauss_op.314_An_der_sch%C3%B6nen_blauen_Donau_Cranz_2hands.pdf
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Offline andrewuk

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Re: 6 Waltzes in The Blue Danube? Which one to learn first?
Reply #1 on: April 15, 2020, 12:41:59 PM
Funnily enough I was playing an arrangement of the Blue Danube only yesterday, from an old collection inherited from my Dad. The version I have (arranger Ernest Haywood) is slightly simpler than yours, the main difference being that there are fewer big jumps in the LH.

Most (all? many?) of the Strauss waltzes have the same sort of structure, with an intro (sometimes not in triple time), several different waltz tunes and a reprise-like coda (often quite extended). I have no good answer to your question of which tune to study first: you could do the obvious and learn them as they come in the piece, or try to arrange them in order of difficulty and do either the hardest or easiest first.  Have fun!

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