About this work
Schubert gathers short dances here, but they do not all move with the same step. The waltzes turn lightly, the ländler stand more firmly on the ground, and the ecossaises head straight into motion. Played consecutively without distinction, they soon sound alike; differences of phrase shape and accent are exactly what bring the collection to life.
Practise in small families. In the waltzes, keep the bass short and allow the weaker beats to breathe. For the ländler, seek a clear accent without weighing down the chords. The ecossaises call for livelier articulation and well-directed repeats. Pedalling should follow harmonic changes and never cover the rhythmic outlines that separate these characters.
The collection contains twelve waltzes, seventeen ländler, and nine ecossaises. There is no need to perform everything in one programme. Instead, build a short suite by alternating keys, textures, and tempos. Making that selection forces you to hear every piece on its own terms and avoids a catalogue effect. A few sharply contrasted miniatures say more than a long queue of hurried dances.
What the document containsthe complete collection for solo piano;a 14-page PDF;no accompanying MIDI file.The engraving combines all three dance families in their published order.