Schumann's Faschingsschwank aus Wien ("Carnival
Scenes from Vienna") for solo piano is a rather unusual work falling somewhere
in between a suite and a sonata. It consists of five movements that nearly
fulfill the usual movements of a sonata, though they are arranged in a
different order.
The first movement is a vast Allegro in triple time.
One of the more technically challenging movements, it begins with a waltz tune
which then alternates with six different episodes. The episodes vary greatly,
from the lyrical to the off-kilter and even the militant. The movement comes to
an impressive close with sweeping arpeggios and full chords. Following is a
lyrical Romanze in G minor. Simple and concise, it presents a mournful
melody interrupted only by a brief section in C major.
A Scherzino follows the gloomy second movement
and offers a welcome lighthearted contrast. Constructed on a rather simple two
measure motif, its characteristic rhythm permeates much of the movement. The
motif is consistently passed between treble and bass and the only substantial
break in the pattern is the octave run that leads to the close of the movement.
The following Intermezzo returns to the melancholy of the Romanze. The
melody appears in the right hand over an undulating arpeggio accompaniment and
octave bass notes in the left hand. The Finale, however, dispels the
gloomy atmosphere with triumphant octave B-flats and arpeggios. It is cast in a
conventional sonata form and is the perhaps the most technically demanding part
of the work. Constantly alternating between accompanimental sixteenth-note and
triplets, the energetic movement comes to a magnificent close with colossal
chords in both hands. Joseph DuBose
Classical Music | Piano Music
Robert Schumann
Faschingsschwank aus Wien, Op. 26 (Carnival of Vienna) Play
Recorded on 12/03/2008, uploaded on 03/16/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Schumann's Faschingsschwank aus Wien ("Carnival Scenes from Vienna") for solo piano is a rather unusual work falling somewhere in between a suite and a sonata. It consists of five movements that nearly fulfill the usual movements of a sonata, though they are arranged in a different order.
The first movement is a vast Allegro in triple time. One of the more technically challenging movements, it begins with a waltz tune which then alternates with six different episodes. The episodes vary greatly, from the lyrical to the off-kilter and even the militant. The movement comes to an impressive close with sweeping arpeggios and full chords. Following is a lyrical Romanze in G minor. Simple and concise, it presents a mournful melody interrupted only by a brief section in C major.
A Scherzino follows the gloomy second movement and offers a welcome lighthearted contrast. Constructed on a rather simple two measure motif, its characteristic rhythm permeates much of the movement. The motif is consistently passed between treble and bass and the only substantial break in the pattern is the octave run that leads to the close of the movement. The following Intermezzo returns to the melancholy of the Romanze. The melody appears in the right hand over an undulating arpeggio accompaniment and octave bass notes in the left hand. The Finale, however, dispels the gloomy atmosphere with triumphant octave B-flats and arpeggios. It is cast in a conventional sonata form and is the perhaps the most technically demanding part of the work. Constantly alternating between accompanimental sixteenth-note and triplets, the energetic movement comes to a magnificent close with colossal chords in both hands. Joseph DuBoseMore music by Robert Schumann
Toccata in C Major, Op. 7
Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano in A minor, Op. 105
Wehmut, from Liederkreis, Op. 39
Novellette no. 6 in A Major: Sehr lebhaft mit vielem Humor, from Novelletten, Op. 21
Adagio and Allegro for Viola and Piano, Op. 70
Papillons in C-sharp Major, Op. 2
Dritte Sonate für Klavier und Violine op. post.
Fantasy Pieces Op. 73
Romance in F-sharp Major, Op. 28, No. 2
Du bist wie eine Blume, Op. 25, No. 24
Performances by same musician(s)
Improvisations on Hungarian peasant songs, Op.20, Sz.74
Prelude Op. 23 no. 5 in g minor
Ballet Suite for Piano from The Nutcracker
Pictures at an Exhibition, excerpts
Ondine, from Gaspar de la Nuit
Prelude Op. 23 no. 2 in B Flat Major
Prelude Op. 23 no. 6 in E-flat Major
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