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Romantic · march

Troldtog (March of the Dwarfs)

Edvard Grieg · Level 8, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

A piano march with a later orchestral life. Troldtog (March of the Dwarfs) is a march by Edvard Grieg from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 8, an estimate.

On this page
  • march
  • Romantic
  • playful
  • stormy
  • voicing

Also known as Op. 54 No. 3.

History

March of the Dwarfs is the third piece in Grieg's Op. 54 Lyric Pieces book, probably composed between 1889 and 1891 and published by Peters in 1891. Its later orchestral counterpart occupied the fourth position in the Lyric Suite. Grieg reorchestrated that related suite in 1904 and conducted its Oslo premiere on 6 December 1905. These later events belong to the orchestral work, not to the first performance of this piano edition.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. Detached chords with a descending top line

    The upper chords repeat with short articulation while their top note gradually descends. Listen to that changing line without making the accompaniment heavy.

  2. A held gesture launches a new register

    A longer chord contrasts with the short attacks, then a quick rising gesture launches the next phrase. Keep the fast notes connected and land cleanly in the new register.

  3. The answer descends and leaves space

    The detached chord pattern descends again before a broader sound and a rest close the answer. Keep the rest in time so the next quick gesture has a clear place to begin.

How to practise it

Keep the lower pulse light as the upper run arrives.

  1. Practise the lower pattern at a quiet even pulse.
  2. Practise the upper approach from its preceding rests, then add the bass.
  3. Connect the stated opening gestures at a comfortable tempo, keeping their distinct releases.

How hard is it

Level 8, estimated

The proposed advanced target values controlled articulation, continuity and contrasting character across the complete component. The title is not evidence of specific physical demands.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Edvard Grieg, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Licence
Public Domain
Source
mutopiaproject.org

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

With Maestro

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Keep the lower pulse light as the upper run arrives.

Practise it in PlayPiano