Description
Written during Schumann's stay in Vienna, this five-movement set musically captures the exuberant spirit of carnival season. The first movement playfully quotes the melody of "La Marseillaise," a tune banned in Vienna at the time, revealing Schumann's mischievous humor. Its vivid rhythms and brilliant technical writing make it a highly effective concert piece. Composed in 1839, it runs about twenty-two minutes with over 14,500 notes, requiring an advanced player to bring out the contrasting character of each of its five movements.
Character pieces that depict a specific mood or scene, including Beethoven's Bagatelles — short works full of distinct personality.
About the Composer
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Robert Schumann was a leading German Romantic composer born in Zwickau. His poetic style reflects his deep literary sensibility, and his wife Clara Schumann was herself a renowned pianist and composer. His pedagogical piano collection Album for the Young remains beloved for its simple yet evocative miniatures for children and families. This site includes 63 of his works, including several pieces from that collection.
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