Schumann's Carnaval

Schumann's Carnaval is one of the most famous piano solo compositions ever written. There are myriads of recordings and interpretations, some of which you can listen to, and watch, by visiting www.youtube.com

Schumann’s Carnaval - is one of Schumann’s magnum opuses, as well as one of the most famous piano solo composition ever written.

Schumann’s piano music may not possess Chopin’s poetic lyricism, Liszt’s prophetic vision, or Debussy’s ‘jeunesse qua’; nevertheless, Schumann’s piano music is as equally revered and performed by pianists today, as the music of any other composer.

A little bit into Schumann’s early life might be useful in understanding much of his music. Schumann’s father (August Schumann) was one of Germany’s most imminent book publisher of his day. As of result of Schumann’s early exposure to literature, he had mixed feelings about whether to become a writer or composer. Nevertheless, and much to Schumann’s surprise, his father was bent on him becoming a musician (Unusual in a time when most people discouraged their children from pursuing a musical career of any kind). Schumann loved both music and literature - he arduously read Schiller and Goethe in his youth. However, at around 14 years of age, Schumann decided to pursue a musical career. That said, Schumann’s father died shortly afterwards, and his mother was not very supportive about her son’s musical aspirations.... Schumann than decided to study law, but after his second year in college, he decided on becoming a musician. Schumann then decided to pursue a career as a piano virtuoso, and started taking piano lessons with an individual whom would later become his father in law. All said, Schumann’s dreams of becoming a concert pianist were thwarted after a serious hand injury..., so, if he decided to remain in music, composition was his only choice. Around this time, Schumann was part timing as a writer and music critic in order to financially support himself....

Schumann was interested in the “Commedia dell’arte” form of theater (this no doubt stemmed from Schumann's literary interests). This style of theater was started in 14th Century Italy, and was a throwback to Classical Antiquity (Greek and Roman periods). Characters would mask themselves on stage, and perform vignettes representing different aspects of everyday life, they would also perform vignettes on different political views and ideas - this was very typical of Carnaval Season (Carnaval takes place just before Lent) which is where Schumann got the piece’s name sake from.... Schumann decided that the Carnaval would be made up of different vignettes; nevertheless, the vignettes Schumann decided to put together were not theatrical scenes, but rather short musical movements depicting individuals and acquaintances whom he’d known....

Carnaval is made up of 20 short musical movements - the piece has been considered to be amongst one of the most technically challenging piano pieces ever written. Carnaval has also been deemed by some pianists too difficult to perform - only a concert pianist, very gifted, or extremely advanced piano student is capable of playing Carnaval, though many piano students will play segments of the work, few will attempt to learn the entire composition....

Carnaval:
1. Preambule - variations on a Schubert theme

2. Pierrot - stock character from “Commedia dell’arte”

3. Arlequin - Harlequim - another character from “Commedia dell’arte”

4. Valse Noble

5. Eusebius - depicts the composer’s passive side

6. Florestan - depicts the composer’s fiery side

7. Coquette - a girl friend of Schumann’s (some Schumann historians and scholars have commented that this may have been the individual whom he contracted syphilis from?...)

8. Replique - a response to Coquette - the French word for reply

9. Papillons

10. Lettres Dansantes

11. Chiarina - depicts Schumann’s future wife Clara/Klara

12. Chopin

13. Estrella - another girlfriend of Schumann’s

14. Reconnaissance - French word for meeting - depicts Schumann meeting Estrella at a ball

15. Pantalon et Colombine - characters from “Commedia dell’arte”

16. Valse Allemande

17. Aveu - confession of love

18. Promenade

19. Pause

20. Marche des David contre les Philistins (David against the Philistines) bring the piece to a halt.

In the 19th Century, French was the official language of arts and music, hence the reason the work's movements all have French titles....