Schumann waldszenen program notes11/9/2022 ![]() ![]() On the other hand, it could refer to deeply philosophical or allegorical tales by such writers as Goethe and E.T.A. On the one hand, it could denote simple folk tales such as those collected by the brothers Grimm or tales written in imitation of folk style. In its literary setting, the term had two possible meanings. Schumann was the first to extend these fanciful titles from the solo piano to chamber music, particularly to informal hausmusik, works designed for family performance in the living room.įor two of these informal works, Schumann took the word märchen – literally “fairy tales” – from a favorite narrative form in 19 th century German literature. Further, he invented such descriptive titles as Papillons (Butterflies), Carnaval (Carnival), Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood), Märchenbilder (Fairy Pictures), Märchenerzählungen (Fairy Fables), and Faschingsschwank aus Wien (Carnival Prank from Vienna). ![]() Schumann was perhaps the most imaginative coiner of designations, contributing phantasiestücke (fantasy pieces), nachtstücke (night pieces), albumblätter (album leaves), novelettes, arabeskes and humoreskes. Thus, Beethoven wrote bagatelles Schubert, impromptus and moments musicaux Mendelssohn, “songs without words” and “children’s pieces” Brahms, intermezzi and Chopin, nocturnes, preludes and ballades. Written mostly for the piano, these so-called “character pieces” generally bore titles suggesting smallness or casualness. In their efforts to break away from the strictures of the classical period, 19 th century composers often wrote short compositions to express a mood or sentiment rather than to work out musical ideas in a formal fashion. ![]()
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