Classical Music | Clarinet Music

Recorded on 10/12/2011, uploaded on 03/29/2012

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

The three short movements that make up the Fantasy Pieces for clarinet and Piano were originally conceived as character pieces that Schumann described as “Soireéstücke,” types of “Evening Pieces.”  This unusual instrumentation for a character piece, usually associated with solo piano or solo violin and piano, is an example of Schumann’s experiments to expand the concept of Romantic music genres.  This type of music genre for clarinet and piano did not really develop until well after Schumann’s time, but it does represent the individuality of his creative efforts.

The Fantasy Pieces are in three movements: 1. Zart und mit Ausdruck (Delicately and with expression), 2. Lebhaft, leicht (Lively, Light), 3. Rasch und mit Feuer (Quick and with Fire).  The individual movements are like songs without words that reflect the emotions and mood swings more commonly realized in his Lieder pieces.  These ‘fantasy pieces” offer us a rare glimpse into an early manifestation of an instrumental music genre that was only at its very beginnings. The movements are united by their key areas.      Duo Brillaner

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.