Originally intended for the clarinet, Schumann's Fantasiestücke, op. 73 are more often heard on cello. Composed in 1849, the three pieces of op. 73 fall in line with the many other fantasy-like pieces Schumann composed throughout his career. He was a wholehearted Romantic and a firm believer that the composer's unrestricted imagination was the prerequisite for ideal expression. What better form, then, than the fantasy—a form whose every detail was left to the fancy of the composer?
The first piece, in A minor and marked Zart und mit Ausdruck (“Tender and with expression”), begins with a flowing accompaniment of triplet arpeggios in the piano offset by a rising semitone motif full of repressed emotions. This inconspicuous motif becomes a major element throughout the piece, often coming to the fore when the solo line pauses. The melancholy gives way in the final bars to a peaceful conclusion in A major.
Embracing the newly found A major, the middle piece is more lively and energetic (Lebhaft, leicht). Its opening section is somewhat unsettling with the duple eighths of the solo line consistently set against triplets in the piano. The middle section modulates to the key of F major, beginning with chromatic triplets tossed between the soloist and piano. Soon, however, the solo line takes up a lyrical melody similar to the opening of the piece. A brief return is made to the opening section before a coda brings the piece to a quiet close.
Following the middle piece without pause, the finale begins with a fury of passion. Both soloist and accompanist are pushed to the limits as the piece progresses. Beginning with the unmistakable indication of Rasch und mit Feuer (“Quick and with fire”), Schumann demands more of his performers in the coda where twice he writes “Schneller,” (“Quicker”). Reaching a frenzied pace, the finale comes to a spectacular close with fiery arpeggios in both parts. Joseph DuBose
Classical Music | Music for Viola
Robert Schumann
Fantasy Pieces Op. 73 Play
Recorded on 07/08/2015, uploaded on 09/15/2015
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Originally intended for the clarinet, Schumann's Fantasiestücke, op. 73 are more often heard on cello. Composed in 1849, the three pieces of op. 73 fall in line with the many other fantasy-like pieces Schumann composed throughout his career. He was a wholehearted Romantic and a firm believer that the composer's unrestricted imagination was the prerequisite for ideal expression. What better form, then, than the fantasy—a form whose every detail was left to the fancy of the composer?
The first piece, in A minor and marked Zart und mit Ausdruck (“Tender and with expression”), begins with a flowing accompaniment of triplet arpeggios in the piano offset by a rising semitone motif full of repressed emotions. This inconspicuous motif becomes a major element throughout the piece, often coming to the fore when the solo line pauses. The melancholy gives way in the final bars to a peaceful conclusion in A major.
Embracing the newly found A major, the middle piece is more lively and energetic (Lebhaft, leicht). Its opening section is somewhat unsettling with the duple eighths of the solo line consistently set against triplets in the piano. The middle section modulates to the key of F major, beginning with chromatic triplets tossed between the soloist and piano. Soon, however, the solo line takes up a lyrical melody similar to the opening of the piece. A brief return is made to the opening section before a coda brings the piece to a quiet close.
Following the middle piece without pause, the finale begins with a fury of passion. Both soloist and accompanist are pushed to the limits as the piece progresses. Beginning with the unmistakable indication of Rasch und mit Feuer (“Quick and with fire”), Schumann demands more of his performers in the coda where twice he writes “Schneller,” (“Quicker”). Reaching a frenzied pace, the finale comes to a spectacular close with fiery arpeggios in both parts. Joseph DuBose
More music by Robert Schumann
Maerchenbilder for viola and piano - I mov, op.113
Intermezzo
Carnaval, Op. 9
Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70
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
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
Performances by same musician(s)
Arpeggione Sonata
String Quartet in F Major, Op. 135
String Quintet in C Major, D. 956
Caprice no. 1, from Twelve Caprices for Viola Solo
String Sextet in A Major, Op. 48
Allegro con spirito, from Souvenir de Florence
String Quartet No. 12 in F Major, Op. 96, B. 179, "American"
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