The Dream Within the Sound
Whenever musicians perform, they tell a story through sound. Sometimes it is the story envisioned by the composer; at other times, performers bring their own imagination and interpretation to the music. As they play, they follow the story’s twists, characters, and images in their minds—and invite the audience to experience that world with them.
In this video, our student Brooke Zhang performs Franz Liszt’s Gnomenreigen, which translates as “Round Dance of the Gnomes.” Listen not only to her impressive command of the étude’s technically demanding passages, but also to the magical world she creates through her expressive playing. Brooke transports us to an enchanted forest filled with cheerful little creatures. The work’s rapid, delicate figures seem to imitate the nimble footsteps of dancing gnomes.
Close your eyes, listen, and let your imagination follow. The whimsical creatures of the forest have a delightful dance to share!