Ruralia hungarica is a name given by the Hungarian composer Ernő Dohnányi to four interrelated works.
First came the version for solo piano, a suite containing 7 movements, Op. 32a, in 1923:
- I. Allegretto, molto tenero
- II. Presto, ma non tanto
- III. Andante poco moto, rubato
- IV. Vivace
- V. Allegro grazioso
- VI. Adagio non troppo
- VII. Molto vivace.
Five of these movements were then orchestrated, as Op. 32b, in 1924:
- I. Andante poco moto, rubato
- II. Presto, ma non tanto
- III. Allegro grazioso
- IV. Adagio non troppo
- V. Molto vivace.
A version for violin and piano followed, as Op. 32c. This contained transcriptions of two of the existing pieces (Presto, ma non tanto; and Molto vivace), plus an entirely new piece as the second movement.[1] That new piece, Andante rubato, is better known as the "Gypsy Andante" (Andante alla zingaresca), and under the bow of players like Jascha Heifetz and Fritz Kreisler it became a concert favourite separate from the suite of which it forms a part.
Dohnányi also arranged the "Gypsy Andante" from Op. 32c for cello and piano, as Op. 32d. There is also an arrangement of Op. 32d for cello and harp,[2] and cello and orchestra.[3]
The term "Gypsy Andante" is sometimes also applied to the Adagio non troppo movement of the orchestral suite.