Waltz of the Flowers
The great waltz from The Nutcracker – on the piano a piece about momentum and wide stretches that needs more room than it first seems.
The piece at a glance
- Composer
- Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
- Year
- 1892
- Origin
- From the ballet The Nutcracker
- Key
- D major
- Level
- Advanced
- Keys recommended
- 88
How difficult is it?
The waltz accompaniment leaps across long distances while the right hand sustains the melody. The leaps are the work.
The real hurdle
Bass on one, chords on two and three – miss the bass and you lose the waltz. The leaps repay separate practice.
How long does it take?
One to three months, depending on how securely the leaps sit.
A rule of thumb, not a rule – how fast it goes depends on prior experience and practice time. This level is an assessment, not a measurement: most pieces exist in arrangements ranging from heavily simplified to concert level. The rating refers to the common arrangement.
Which instrument suits it?
The left hand needs room downward and the pedal to hold it together. Under 88 keys it gets awkward.
Instruments that suit it
Roland FP-E50 EU approx. €690–780Portable digital piano with PHA-4 Standard action.
Yamaha Clavinova CLP-845 EU approx. €2,200–2,600The Clavinova upper class: GrandTouch-S action with wooden keys – CFX plus Bösendorfer Imperial on board.
Kawai MP11SE EU approx. €2,200–2,350Stage piano with Grand Feel action.
The catalogue lists 233 instruments with verified data – key count, action and connections documented rather than claimed.
Where to find the sheet music
The work is in the public domain: the term of protection – 70 years after the composer’s death – has expired. Note that a modern engraving or a new arrangement can still be protected. What is free are the old editions, not automatically every version.
Free: the historical editions
IMSLP holds the old, public-domain editions as PDFs – free and legal. Engraving and fingering reflect their era; anyone wanting a modern, easily readable edition is often better served by a paid one.
Modern editions and arrangements
Simplified versions, modern engraving and arrangements are available from the usual sheet music retailers. We will add direct links here shortly.
Frequently asked questions
How difficult is Waltz of the Flowers?
The waltz accompaniment leaps across long distances while the right hand sustains the melody. The leaps are the work.
What key is Waltz of the Flowers in?
Waltz of the Flowers is in D major.
How many keys do you need for Waltz of the Flowers?
88 keys are recommended.
Who composed Waltz of the Flowers?
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, 1892.
Can you download the sheet music for Waltz of the Flowers for free?
The work is in the public domain: the term of protection – 70 years after the composer’s death – has expired. Note that a modern engraving or a new arrangement can still be protected. What is free are the old editions, not automatically every version.
How long does it take to learn Waltz of the Flowers?
One to three months, depending on how securely the leaps sit.
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