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Romantic · lyric piece

Album Leaf, Lyric Pieces, Op. 47 No. 2

Edvard Grieg · Level 4, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

An album leaf from a book its publisher said was in demand. Album Leaf, Lyric Pieces, Op. 47 No. 2 is a piece by Edvard Grieg from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 4, an estimate.

On this page
  • lyric piece
  • Romantic
  • gentle

Also known as Album Leaf: Lyric Pieces, Op. 47 No. 2; Lyric Piece Book IV No. 2 Album-Leaf.

History

Album Leaf is the second piece of Grieg's seven-piece Op. 47 book of Lyric Pieces. The book was largely composed from autumn 1886 to April 1888 and published by Peters in 1888. On 10 October that year, publisher Max Abraham reported strong demand for the collection. That is a historical account of the book's reception, not a current popularity ranking for this miniature.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. Flowing figures receive a higher answer

    Quiet flowing opening figures move into a related higher phrase. Hear the relationship between their shapes as the register changes.

  2. The singing texture eases into rests

    The cantabile-marked span softens into a rest element. Hear the whole phrase settle without filling its written space.

  3. Contrasting middle textures return

    Earlier contrasting textures recur in writing. Compare their renewed movement with the first middle passage rather than adding a navigation jump.

  4. The opening comes back for a quiet close

    The final opening recall develops toward a quiet ending. Listen for its familiar contour within the later continuation.

How to practise it

Keep the dotted melodic figure connected above long supporting notes.

  1. Make the dotted figure distinct without rushing the short notes.
  2. Keep the low tied note continuous.

How hard is it

Level 4, estimated

Compact lyrical phrases require balanced melody and support, smooth releases and expressive shaping beyond simply playing the notes.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Edvard Grieg, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Collection
Small scenes, big imagination
Licence
CC0
Source
musescore.com

More by Edvard Grieg

  1. Arietta, Lyric Pieces Op. 12 No. 1Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
  2. Wedding Day at Troldhaugen, Op. 65 No. 6Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro
  3. Troldtog (March of the Dwarfs)Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro

With Maestro

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Keep the dotted melodic figure connected above long supporting notes.

Practise it in PlayPiano