G

urlitt, Cornelius

Romantic Composer
Altona, Hamburg, Germany
(1820-1901)

Bio
Gurlitt received early music lessons by Altona organists and composers. He then
continued his studies alongside Carl Reinecke, at the Leipzig Conservatory. After
his first public appearance at the age of seventeen, he decided to go to
Copenhagen to continue his studies. There, he studied under Curlander and Weyse.
While visiting his brother, Louis Gurlitt, a well-known painter, Cornelius abilities
were quickly recognized and the Accademia di Santa Cecilia nominated him an
honorary member, graduating as Professor of Music in 1855. He returned to Aldona
and taught until his death.

Works
Over 230 works for piano, voice, opera, chamber, and orchestra
Op. 1-241, some are lost

Works for solo piano

On IMSLP, as of 12/1/2014
Op. 52 20 Studies in
Rhythm and Expression
Op. 74 - From The
World of Children
Op. 83 The Easiest
Studies in Velocity
Op. 96 Serenade
(piano duet)
Op. 101 Albumleaves
for the Young
Op. 104 Flower Fields

Op. 107 Buds and

Blossoms
Op. 112 - Leaflets
Op. 113 Mimoses
Op. 115 - Variations on
Ach du lieber Augustin
Op. 130 35 Easy
Studies
Op. 132 24 Melodic
Studies
Op. 140 Album for the
Young

Op. 141 School of

Velocity for Beginners
Op. 148 12
Novelettes
Op. 185 6 Melodic
Studies
Op. 205 Small Flowers
Op. 214 4 Sonatinas
Op. 215 Spring
Flowers

In Print:
Gurlitt Selected Works for Piano
Edited by Keith Snell Published by Neil A. Kjos Music Company
13 pieces for late-elementary early-intermediate
Also in collections and supplements:
Music for Millions Music Sales
The Developing Artist Piano Literature Book - Faber
Piano Adventures - Faber
Masterwork Classics Alfred Music
The Festival Collection FJH
Essential Piano Repertoire Kjos
Op. 52 20 Studies in Rhythm and Expression

Mid to late intermediate short pieces, 1-2 pages time signatures include 4/4, 3/4,
6/8, 4/8, and 6/16 repetitive patterns

Op. 74 - From The World of Children

Early to mid elementary All pieces 1 page key signatures stay within 3
accidentals

Op. 83 The Easiest Studies in Velocity

Mid to late elementary short pieces, 1-2 pages focused exercises staying within a
5-finger pattern playing position few accidentals some ties promotes finger
independence that leads to one octave triad arpeggios and scales

Op. 101 Albumleaves for the Young

Early intermediate short pieces, 1-2 pages wide variety of styles such as waltzes,
songs without words, marches, scherzos

Op. 104 Flower Fields

Mid to late intermediate larger works 3-5 pages - full chords on both hands lots
of rhythmic and melodic movement on both hands

Op. 107 Buds and Blossoms

Mid to late intermediate medium works, 2-3 pages contrasting sections within
individual pieces

Op. 112 Leaflets

Early to intermediate short pieces, 1-2 pages some use of finger pedaling

Op. 113 Mimoses

Mid to late intermediate larger multi-section pieces, 3-5 pages full chords on
both hands independent melodies, and/or melody and accompaniment played at the
same time with one hand

Op. 115 - Variations on Ach du lieber Augustin

Early to late intermediate short variations, 1-2 pages - humorous variations of the
melody in the style of the great composers (including Bach, Haydn, Mozart, and Chopin)

Op. 130 35 Easy Studies

Early to mid intermediate short pieces, 1-2 pages pieces have contrasting
sections imitation between hands variety of styles including impromptus, minuets, and
songs

Op. 132 24 Melodic Studies

Mid intermediate short to medium pieces, 2-5 pages full chords on both hands
arpeggios and scales up to 2 octaves independent melodies, and/or melody and
accompaniment played at the same time with one hand lots of rhythmic and melodic
movement on both hands

Op. 140 Album for the Young

Early to mid intermediate short pieces, 1-2 pages imitation between hands

Op. 141 School of Velocity for Beginners

Early to mid intermediate all pieces 1 page picks up where Op. 83 leaves off
scales up to an octave and a half arpeggios up to 2 octaves repetitive patterns
repeated notes expansive note range

Op. 148 12 Novelettes

Mid to late intermediate larger pieces, 3-5 pages - rhythmic values up to 32 th notes
modulations and key signature changes accidentals include double sharp and double
flat

Op. 185 6 Melodic Studies

Mid to late intermediate medium pieces, 3-4 pages includes pieces for the
individual hands written on a single staff with clef changes lots of accidentals
arpeggiated patterns rolling of chords

Op. 205 Small Flowers

Early to mid intermediate short pieces, 1-2 pages ledger line notes on both
hands some use of finger pedaling some use of melody and accompaniment on same
hand

Op. 214 4 Sonatinas

Early intermediate medium multi-movement sonatinas, 4-5 pages both staves

use treble clef scalar passages harmonically rich some use of syncopation

Op. 215 Spring Flowers

Mid to late intermediate larger pieces, 4-5 pages full chords on both hands
pieces have contrasting sections modulation and key signature changes arpeggiated
pattern up to 4 octaves independent melodies, and/or melody and accompaniment
played at the same time with one hand