Ernő Dohnányi - 6 Concert Etudes Op. 28 (audio + sheet music)

The Six Concert Etudes, are bravura pieces for steel fingers and marathon stamina - from start to finish there is no time to catch a breath. The first Etude’s solemn, pounding melody, introduced at the beginning by the left hand, is literally showered by swift torrents of chords played initially by the right hand; the hands alternate in their roles, producing a spectacular effect. In the second Etude, three groups of two sixths in one hand whizz by three groups of three notes in the other; the listener hears a coy, playful scherzo, while the pianist contends with a significant test of dexterity.