Carl Maria von Weber’s “Aufforderung zum Tanz” or “Invitation to the Dance” is an 1819 work composed in the Rondo Form. Many people have heard this before, but in the 1841 version by Hector Berlioz which was not for solo piano, but for orchestra. The original version however, is just as expressive as the orchestration and some consider it to be even more pleasant to hear.
Weber dedicated “Aufforderung zum Tanz” to his wife, Caroline. The work was labelled as a “Rondeau Brilliante” and is the first so-called “Concert Waltz” which is a waltz not meant for dancing, but for listening. The piece is not meant for dancers to dance to, but rather a description of the dancers themselves. Invitation to the Dance was part of the repertoire of Franz Liszt, Frédéric Chopin, and many other pianists/composers. It has been recorded by great artists of the past such as Ignaz Friedman, who you hear playing this work in this video. Enjoy this marvellous romantic waltz with the masterful performance of Mr. Friedman. -WS
Performer: Ignaz Friedman
Score: IMSLP [Score: B. Schott’s Söhne, Cover page: J.G. Cotta’sche Buchhandlung Nachfolger]
