Adagio and Allegro, in A-Flat, Op. 70 Robert Schumann
In the late 1840s and early 1850s, Schumann composed a number of
works that he felt could be played interchangeably by any of several
instruments with piano accompaniment. Schumann composed the lyrical Adagio and Allegro for horn, cello or
violin in Dresden during four
days of February 1849. Schumann wrote this work and its companion, the Phantasiestücke, as an experiment, in
which he was widening the concept of the "character piece." Prior to
these works, the character piece had usually been the exclusive province of the
piano. Schumann enriched the format by
adding the second instrument. The opening of the Adagio and Allegro echoes the work's original title, Romanze und Allegro, with its intimate
evocation of a love song. After the gentle and lyrical introduction, the work
becomes bolder, with a brightness that Schumann described as "fast and
fiery."
Classical Music | Cello Music
Robert Schumann
Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70
PlayRecorded on 11/24/2004, uploaded on 02/27/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Adagio and Allegro, in A-Flat, Op. 70 Robert Schumann
In the late 1840s and early 1850s, Schumann composed a number of works that he felt could be played interchangeably by any of several instruments with piano accompaniment. Schumann composed the lyrical Adagio and Allegro for horn, cello or violin in Dresden during four days of February 1849. Schumann wrote this work and its companion, the Phantasiestücke, as an experiment, in which he was widening the concept of the "character piece." Prior to these works, the character piece had usually been the exclusive province of the piano. Schumann enriched the format by adding the second instrument. The opening of the Adagio and Allegro echoes the work's original title, Romanze und Allegro, with its intimate evocation of a love song. After the gentle and lyrical introduction, the work becomes bolder, with a brightness that Schumann described as "fast and fiery."
Katinka Kleijn
More music by Robert Schumann
Maerchenbilder for viola and piano - I mov, op.113
Wehmuth, from Liederkreis, Op. 39
Novellette no. 6 in A Major: Sehr lebhaft mit vielem Humor, from Novelletten, Op. 21
Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt, from Lieder und Gesänge aus Wilhelm Meister
Intermezzo Op 26 / 4
Carnaval, Op. 9
Presto Passionato in g minor, Op. 22a
Faschingsschwank aus Wien, Op. 26 (Carnival of Vienna)
Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano in A minor, Op. 105
Ich hab' im Traum geweinet (from Dichterliebe)
Performances by same musician(s)
Sonata in D Major, Op. 102, No. 2 for Piano and Cello
Sonata No. 3 in G minor for viola da gamba and harpsichord, BWV 1029
Cello Concerto
Sonata for Cello and Piano in g minor, Op.19
Classical Music for the Internet Era™
Courtesy of International Music Foundation.