Schumann wrote his Arabesque in C Major, Op. 18 in
1839 during the four years that he struggled with his relationship with Clara
Wieck, whose father had denied Schumann the right to marry his daughter in
1836, although they would eventually marry in 1840.
Formally,
it is structured in rondo form with two episodes in minor keys and a coda. The
rondo theme contains three layers of sounds. The two lower voices create a
delicate yet active accompaniment line while the top voice is lyrical and
colorful. The contrast between the rondo theme and the minor-key episodes is
clearly articulated in character and texture. The first episode in E minor has
a yearning character while the second minor episode in A minor presents
material evoking a dance. The coda marked "Zum Schluss" ("As an end"), transmutes
what seemed to be merely graceful and emotionally simple, into a keen sense of
sadness. Zsolt Bognár
Classical Music | Piano Music
Robert Schumann
Arabesque in C Major, Op. 18 Play
Recorded on 09/08/2010, uploaded on 03/22/2011
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Schumann wrote his Arabesque in C Major, Op. 18 in 1839 during the four years that he struggled with his relationship with Clara Wieck, whose father had denied Schumann the right to marry his daughter in 1836, although they would eventually marry in 1840.
Formally, it is structured in rondo form with two episodes in minor keys and a coda. The rondo theme contains three layers of sounds. The two lower voices create a delicate yet active accompaniment line while the top voice is lyrical and colorful. The contrast between the rondo theme and the minor-key episodes is clearly articulated in character and texture. The first episode in E minor has a yearning character while the second minor episode in A minor presents material evoking a dance. The coda marked "Zum Schluss" ("As an end"), transmutes what seemed to be merely graceful and emotionally simple, into a keen sense of sadness. Zsolt BognárMore 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
Carnaval, Op. 9
Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70
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)
Impromptu No. 2 in E-flat, Op. Posth. D.946
Dedication für Alina
5 Stücke im Volkston for Cello and Piano, Op. 102
Sonata for Cello and Piano in e minor, Op. 38
Impromptu No. 3 in C, Op. Posth., D.946
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