“Gurlitt - The First Lessons - Op. 117, No. 9 - Kitten Play” is classified as a Level 1 Piano work worth 78 points within the Road to Virtuosity progression system. It is categorized under Composers → Gurlitt, Cornelius and is part of the Romantic collection. The sheet music for “Gurlitt - The First Lessons - Op. 117, No. 9 - Kitten Play” provided on this website is available for non-commercial use. This means it may be downloaded, printed, studied, and performed for personal or educational purposes, but it may not be sold, redistributed commercially, or used as part of a paid product without permission.
Kitten Play is a playful C-major Allegretto built from paired notes and carefully placed silences. The two parts seem to take turns appearing and disappearing within the three-beat measure.
Measures 1–6 establish the alternating pattern: short upper pairs lead to a longer note, while the bass responds in the spaces around them. The harmony shifts gently beneath the recurring rhythm.
Measures 7–10 add a brief chromatic change before returning to the familiar paired gestures. The rests remain an active part of the musical exchange.
Measures 11–16 gather the earlier patterns into a closing phrase. A fuller lower interval supports the final sustained upper note, bringing the stop-and-start motion to rest.
Interesting fact: The playful effect depends on complementary rests: one part often sounds precisely where the other leaves a gap.
Submit Video