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It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!
I many have mentioned this before, but I've never gotten into Schumann. I've listened to much of his solo piano output, but a lot of it hasn't grabbed me.
However, I've just had one of those wonderful moments of discovery on YouTube, where a "related" video starts you off on a journey. I was watching a performance of Ravel's Tombeau, and saw a video with piano and oboe, two of my favorite instruments, so I decided to give it a go. And boy am I glad I did.
Absolutely stunning music, incredibly beautiful and vivid. Schumann! I'm so excited now, I feel invigorated to explore some other of his chamber works and works such as this! Just wanted to share this with all of you, hopefully some can appreciate my excitement. The learning never ends; no matter how much you think you've listened to, there's always something else out there!
Happy listening! And yes, it's unbelievable how much good stuff you can keep discovering even though we've heard so much already. I expect that when I'm 70 or 80 I'll still be saying the same thing, the shear amount of great music is almost infinite.
I feel to really appreciate Schumann, you have to either: 1) hear it live, or 2) play it yourself. That's the way that his colors and quirkiness come to life. The best introduction is probably the Fantasiestucke, Op. 12 - it's just as great as Kreisleriana without the foreboding and dread. That and Carnaval, which is well worth the difficulty of playing it.
I once accompanied a singer in the 'Liederkreis', opus 39. It was an incredible experience, but I really underestimated how difficult those piano parts were, particularly 'Frühlingsnacht'.
I feel to really appreciate Schumann, you have to either: 1) hear it live, or 2) play it yourself. That's the way that his colors and quirkiness come to life. The best introduction is probably the Fantasiestucke, Op. 12 - it's just as great as Kreisleriana without the foreboding and dread. That and Carnaval, which is well worth the difficulty of playing it.
I've listened to those pieces, but I'll pick one I sort of like and play through it now, see if it opens up anything. Thanks!
Much of Schumann's piano music was written for his own enjoyment. He did not care if it became popular. His larger orchestral works were written with an audience in mind. Much of his vocal music was intended to please his wife, Clara. I think one becomes more open to Schumann's piano music as one matures and especially as one's playing improves. He is a wonderful composer but some of his piano music takes more than just technique, it requires a sense of understanding the emotion hidden within. Just my opinion, but I think Schumann is under-appreciated because other composers are a little easier to approach in the beginning of one's awareness of classical music.
I played the Schumann/Liszt Widmung long before I knew the words and what the original song was about (or what 'Widmung' actually meant ). When I eventually found a translation, I was gratified to see that it meant what I thought it meant (if you get my drift). It's all in the music: Schumann never beats about the bush, or hides beneath technical twaddle, or engages in ambiguity; he says what he means, and means what he says, always.
BTW, his Fantaisie in C is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written for piano solo. And it's not difficult to play either - easier than Kreisleriana, Carnaval, Fantasiestücke etc.
"I don't play accurately - anyone can play accurately - but I play with wonderful expression. As far as the piano is concerned, sentiment is my forte. I keep science for Life."
His music can be absolutely gorgeous, his rhythms are fascinating and accessible even tho they sound like they are not. i really love him. he's definitely my 3rd favorite.
accompanist/organist.. a non-MTNA teacher to a few
And it's not difficult to play either - easier than Kreisleriana, Carnaval, Fantasiestücke etc.
When I read this I first thought it was April Fools Day, but that got eliminated, then I thought perhaps I hadn't had enough coffee, but I've had 3 cups so far, so I'll just settle for the fact that I'm merely hallucinating.
And it's not difficult to play either - easier than Kreisleriana, Carnaval, Fantasiestücke etc.
When I read this I first thought it was April Fools Day, but that got eliminated, then I thought perhaps I hadn't had enough coffee, but I've had 3 cups so far, so I'll just settle for the fact that I'm merely hallucinating.
No hallucination, and it's June (according to my body clock - haven't got time to check with my atomic clock) .
I've played all of the C major Fantaisie and Kreisleriana and Carnaval, and a few movements of the Op.12. The Fantaisie is the most straightforward technically for my hands, apart from the treacherous coda to the March.
"I don't play accurately - anyone can play accurately - but I play with wonderful expression. As far as the piano is concerned, sentiment is my forte. I keep science for Life."
