Alt-Wien
German work
Definition
Old Vienna — an evocation of the vanished elegance of 19th-century Viennese culture, its cafés, waltzes, and bittersweet nostalgia. Godowsky's Alt-Wien (No. 11 of the Triakontameron) is his most beloved character piece.
Interpretive Guidance
Alt-Wien must feel like a memory, not a performance. The rubato should be gentle and organic — the kind of natural rhythmic flexibility a Viennese musician absorbs from the culture rather than imposes from the score. Never rush the waltz lilt; let the second beat breathe.