the Jester's Waltz: A Fun and Quirky Dance

The Jester's Waltz: A Fun and Quirky Dance by Richard Altenbach, ASCAP Overview: "The Jester's Waltz" is a playful and silly piece of music for piano. Instead of being a serious, elegant waltz-like many others, this piece is full of surprises and fun, inspired by clowns and circuses. What Makes It Special: Not a Traditional Waltz: It doesn't follow the usual rules of waltz music. Instead, it twists and turns in unexpected ways. Funny and Playful: The music is like a jester playing tricks, with off-kilter melodies and lively, energetic rhythms. Exciting to Play: This piece is fun to perform. Imagery: Think of a colorful circus or a funny story where the characters are playful and a bit mischievous. The music brings to life a world full of surprises, making you smile and laugh. Why Listen: With its quirky spirit and unique style, "The Jester's Waltz" is perfect for adding some fun to any recital. It's a joyful piece that makes people happy and is sure to impress! Summary "The Jester's Waltz" is a delightful and whimsical piano piece that turns the traditional waltz on its head, full of laughter and energy. Enjoy the ride! (based on the original international prize-winning version of the piece!) Being of Viennese extraction, Richard has always had a soft spot for the beauty and elegance of the waltz. But this is not that! Rather than a reverential bow to Johann Strauss, "the Jester's Waltz" owes more to the influence of Erik Satie, Cirque du Soleil, and the court jester from Edgar Allan Poe's story, "Hop-Frog". Richard's farcical parody of the once-venerable dance form has been called "playful, hilarious, manic, fiendishly fast"...all of which bodes well to be entrusted to the sleight of hand mastery of a willing virtuoso pianist! *"The Jester's Waltz" won 2nd Prize in the XVII International Golden Key Piano Composition Competition held in Vienna! Judges' Notification: "Dear Mr. Altenbach, Please accept our sincere congratulations on your exceptional performance at the XVII Golden Key Piano Composition Competition. You have competed among 104 participants from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Poland, Romania, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, The Netherlands, The United States and awarded Second Degree Diploma in National Professional Category. Your composition (The Jester's Waltz) has been recommended for the program of the World Composers Recital at the Golden Key Music Festival in Vienna, on July 31, 2024, where the Diploma and Winner's Medal will be awarded to you on the stage of Vienna's historic Ehrbar Hall during the Award Ceremony." ** Richard's piece also received Honorable Mention (only American awarded) in a recent Opus Dissonus Competition. World-renowned pianist, Artur Cimirro, will be recording the work and performing it on recital programs in order to disseminate the piece internationally. http://www.richardaltenbach.com/the-jesters-waltz-medium-level-version/