Robert Schumann (1810 – 1856) was a German composer,
pianist, and influential music critic. He is widely
regarded as one of the greatest composers of the
Romantic era. Schumann left the study of law, intending
to pursue a career as a virtuoso pianist. His teacher,
Friedrich Wieck, a German pianist, had assured him that
he could become the finest pianist in Europe, but a
hand injury ended this dream. Schumann then focused his
musical energies on composing. In 1840, Schumann
married Friedrich Wi...(+)
Robert Schumann (1810 – 1856) was a German composer,
pianist, and influential music critic. He is widely
regarded as one of the greatest composers of the
Romantic era. Schumann left the study of law, intending
to pursue a career as a virtuoso pianist. His teacher,
Friedrich Wieck, a German pianist, had assured him that
he could become the finest pianist in Europe, but a
hand injury ended this dream. Schumann then focused his
musical energies on composing. In 1840, Schumann
married Friedrich Wieck's daughter Clara Wieck, after a
long and acrimonious legal battle with Friedrich, who
opposed the marriage. A lifelong partnership in music
began, as Clara herself was an established pianist and
music prodigy. Clara and Robert also developed a close
relationship with German composer Johannes Brahms.
Until 1840, Schumann wrote exclusively for the piano.
Later, he composed piano and orchestral works, and many
Lieder (songs for voice and piano). He composed four
symphonies, one opera, and other orchestral, choral,
and chamber works. His best-known works include
Carnaval, Symphonic Studies, Kinderszenen,
Kreisleriana, and the Fantasie in C. Schumann was known
for infusing his music with characters through motifs,
as well as references to works of literature. These
characters bled into his editorial writing in the Neue
Zeitschrift für Musik (New Journal for Music), a
Leipzig-based publication that he co-founded.
Schumann suffered from a mental disorder that first
manifested in 1833 as a severe melancholic depressive
episode—which recurred several times alternating with
phases of "exaltation" and increasingly also delusional
ideas of being poisoned or threatened with metallic
items. What is now thought to have been a combination
of bipolar disorder and perhaps mercury poisoning led
to "manic" and "depressive" periods in Schumann's
compositional productivity. After a suicide attempt in
1854, Schumann was admitted at his own request to a
mental asylum in Endenich (now in Bonn). Diagnosed with
psychotic melancholia, he died of pneumonia two years
later at the age of 46, without recovering from his
mental illness.
The "Fantasiestücke" (Fantasy pieces) Op. 73 (Nos
1-3), were written in 1849 by Robert Schumann. Though
they were originally intended for clarinet and piano,
Schumann indicated that the clarinet part could be also
performed on violin or cello. Schumann wrote the pieces
over just two days in February 1849, and originally
entitled them "Soirée Pieces" before settling on the
title Fantasiestücke. The title is one Schumann was
fond of, since he used it in several works. This poetic
title promotes the fundamental Romantic notion that
creative expression is the product of the artist's
unrestricted imagination. In addition, the connotations
of "fantasy" justify the sudden mood changes. The three
individual pieces are: (1) "Zart und mit Ausdruck"
(Tender and with expression), (2) "Lebhaft, leicht"
(Lively, light), and (3) "Rasch und mit Feuer" (Quick
and with fire).
"Fantasiestücke" (Op. 73 No. 1) is in A minor and
begins dreamily with hints of melancholy, but concludes
with a resolution and hope in A major, looking forward
to the next movement.
Source: Wikipedia
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasiest%C3%BCcke,_Op.
_73)
Although originally composed for Clarinet, Violin or
Cello and Piano, I created this Interpretation of
"Fantasiestücke" (Fantasy pieces Op. 73 No. 1) for
Oboe & Strings (2 Violins, Viola & Cello).
