Schumann was surely one of the greatest masters of the romantic miniature, endowing smaller pieces in simple forms with layers of substance and expressivity. The Fantasiestücke (“Fantasy Pieces”) of 1837 is one of the most successful cycles.
The opening Des Abends (“Evening”) sets the tone for the entire set. Dreamy and pleasant, its flowing melody evokes the floral smells and light breezes of a balmy summer evening. Cross-rhythms, yearning moods, and shifting melodies in the inner voices, are all characteristic of Schumann’s style at its most effective.
Aufschwung (“Soaring”) opens with what seems like a catapult, or a high diver setting up the dive. The actual soaring begins with the rippling arpeggios which Schumann has embedded in his second theme group. The music is almost as exhilarating to hear as it is to play.Notes by Laurie Shulman
Classical Music | Piano Music
Robert Schumann
Des Abends, from Fantasiestücke, Op 12
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Recorded on 06/12/2018, uploaded on 06/12/2018
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Schumann was surely one of the greatest masters of the romantic miniature, endowing smaller pieces in simple forms with layers of substance and expressivity. The Fantasiestücke (“Fantasy Pieces”) of 1837 is one of the most successful cycles.
The opening Des Abends (“Evening”) sets the tone for the entire set. Dreamy and pleasant, its flowing melody evokes the floral smells and light breezes of a balmy summer evening. Cross-rhythms, yearning moods, and shifting melodies in the inner voices, are all characteristic of Schumann’s style at its most effective.
Aufschwung (“Soaring”) opens with what seems like a catapult, or a high diver setting up the dive. The actual soaring begins with the rippling arpeggios which Schumann has embedded in his second theme group. The music is almost as exhilarating to hear as it is to play. Notes by Laurie Shulman
More music by Robert Schumann
Maerchenbilder for viola and piano - I mov, op.113
Intermezzo Op 26 / 4
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)
Violin Sonata in E Minor, Op. 82
Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44, 1st mov.
Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44, 2nd mov
Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44, 4th mov
Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44, 3rd mov
Piano Quartet No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 60, Allegro non troppo
Piano Quartet No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 60, Scherzo: Allegro
Piano Quartet No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 60, Andante
The Rite of Spring
Sonata No. 3 in b minor, Op. 58
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