Schumann, Clara (née Wieck) (1819-1896)
4 Pièces Caractéristiques
SKU:FE011-EN
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Description
In 1836, Clara Schumann performed the 4 Pièces Caractéristiques for Frédéric Chopin, eliciting such admiration from him that he obtained a copy for his own collection. The suite embodies an imaginative, sometimes slightly bizarre atmosphere filled with vivid imagery and unexpected turns.
The three lively movements (the Sabbat, the Caprice à la Boléro, and the Hexentanz) are characterized by pointed rhythms, sharp accents, and a somewhat demonic atmosphere. With their meditative and ethereal nature, the Romance and the intermediary part of the Caprice serve as a pleasing contrast.
Product Details
Product Details
Composer: Clara Schumann née Wieck
Title of the Publication: 4 Pièces Caractéristiques
Opus: 5
Composition Year: 1835
Edition Type: Urtext
Edition Number: FE011
Editor: Martijn Vromans
Languages of the Text: English, German, French, and Spanish
Paper: A4 Clairefontaine 120 gsm cream paper
Binding: Black steel wire binding
Pages/Format: Total 28 pages (1 full colour portrait, 3 pages introduction, 2 pages critical commentary, 20 pages music)
Weight: 150 g
Difficulty Level: 8/10
About the Music
About the Music
Rich in Imagination: The playful virtuosity of these mildly demonic compositions is unmistakable. A cycle that starts with a Sabbath and ends with a Witches’ Dance promises delightful playability.
Virtuosity: Clara Schumann wields virtuosity to animate the textures of the music, which alternates between aggressive, demonic, and lyrical expressions.
Lyrical Richness: From the beautiful central part in the Caprice à la Boléro, featuring a luxuriant accompaniment texture, to the contemplative Romance characterized by its subtle chromaticism and meticulous polyphony, this cycle distinguishes itself in lyrical wealth and expressiveness.
About the Composer
About the Composer
Even in the 19th century, a period brimming with some of the greatest pianists to ever grace the stage, Clara Schumann stands uniquely tall as perhaps the foremost among them. Often merely cast as the muse of her husband, Robert Schumann, she delivered unparalleled achievements, not just as a trailblazing pianist but also as a composer. From the moment she published her Opus 2 at the very early age of 12, she began to leave behind a compositional legacy. These works, while early, are by no means immature: they are the creations of a fully-fledged composer, marked by a remarkable emotional richness and playful virtuosity.
Contents
Contents
- Portrait
- Introduction (English, German, French or Spanish)
- 4 Pièces Caractéristiques, Op. 5
- Critical Commentary (English, German, French or Spanish)
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