Kreisleriana

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The Kreisleriana ( op. 16) are a piano cycle by Robert Schumann , composed in 1838 , which is considered a key work of romantic piano literature. ( Kreisleriana is the plural of [ Opus ] Kreislerianum "Kreislerisches [piece, work]" or the singular feminine [ Sonata or Collectio ] Kreisleriana "Kreislerische [sonata, collection]".)

History of origin

Schumann chose the name "Kreisleriana" based on the figure of the conductor Kreisler created by ETA Hoffmann . This fictional character, whose opinion Hoffmann often also reproduces in his magazine articles, appears in the stories Kreisleriana (contained in the collection of Fantasiestücke in Callot's manner ), the novella The Golden Pot and the unfinished novel Lebensansichten des Katers Murr . Schumann saw this as the epitome of romantic artistry and considered the cycle “Kreisleriana” to be the best of his piano compositions.

In Kreisler's story one can find Schumann's self-portrait, which he processed into eight fantasy pieces. "They will give you a picture of my character, my striving". With the cycle “Kreisleriana”, however, he not only depicts his own personality, but also shows a picture of his future wife Clara : “I want to call it Kreisleriana, in which you and a thought of yours play the main role”. The fierce arguments between Schumann and Clara's father, Friedrich Wieck , led Clara to request a change in the dedication addressed to her. So it was dedicated to Frédéric Chopin .

Form

The approximately half-hour work consists of eight individual pieces of a strongly contrasting character, which, however, are related to each other through a key relationship. Six of the eight pieces are in G minor or B flat major, the remaining two in keys related to fifths. The rhythm and metrics that correspond to each other between the sentences stabilize the entire concept. Movements 2, 5, 6 and 7 are characterized by a dotted rhythm, in movements 1–3 and 6–8 the main theme is designed as an upbeat. These elements evoke associations with baroque dance music. Sentences 1 and 3–7 have the three-part ABA form, which creates a cyclical cohesion.

Single sentences

1. Extremely agitated, D minor
2. Very intimate and not too fast, B flat major
3. Very excited, G minor
4. Very slow, B flat major - D minor
5. Very lively, G minor
6. Very slowly, B flat major
7. Very quickly, C minor - E flat major
8. Quick and easy, G minor

swell

  • Eva-Maria Adam-Schmidtmeier: Kreisleriana, Fantasies for piano Op. 16. In: Helmut Loos (Ed.): Robert Schumann - interpretations of his works. Laaber Verlag, Laaber 2005, ISBN 3-89007-447-2 .
  • Arnfried Edler : Works for piano for four hands until 1840. In: Ulrich Tadday (Hrsg.): Schumann manual. Metzler, Stuttgart / Weimar 2006, ISBN 3-476-01671-4 , pp. 214-283.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Cf. Eva-Maria Adam-Schmidtmeier: Kreisleriana, Fantasias for Piano Op. 16. In: Helmut Loos (Ed.): Robert Schumann, interpretations of his works. Laaber Verlag, Laaber 2005, p. 92.
  2. ↑ a b c Cf. Eva-Maria Adam-Schmidtmeier: Kreisleriana, Fantasias for Piano Op. 16. In: Helmut Loos (Ed.): Robert Schumann, interpretations of his works. Laaber Verlag, Laaber 2005, p. 93.
  3. ↑ Cf. Arnfried Edler: Kreisleriana Op. 16. In: Ulrich Tadday (Ed.): Schumann Handbook. Metzler, Stuttgart / Weimar 2006, p. 248.

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