Robert Schumann composed his Six Studies in Canonic Form, Op. 56, and other works for pedal-piano, after his wife Clara suggested a fresh study of Bach's music to aid his recovery from depression.
Historical Context
After Beethoven's death, there was a significant demand for arrangements of orchestral works for domestic performance, leading to many transcriptions for piano.
Composer Biography
Robert Schumann, whose Six Studies in Canonic Form are featured, was introduced to Bach's music by his boyhood piano teacher, Johann Gottfried Kuntsch, and considered Bach the most influential composer he admired.
Compositional Technique
The Scherzo of Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, Eroica, gains its mighty vitality from the addition of a third horn to the usual two.
Composition History
Beethoven initially intended to dedicate his Symphony No. 3, Eroica, to Napoleon, but withdrew the dedication upon learning Napoleon had crowned himself Emperor.
Recording & Production
The album features the first recording of Franz Xaver Scharwenka's arrangement of Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, Eroica, for one piano, four-hands.
Composition History
Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, Eroica, began with a theme from his Contredanses for orchestra (WoO 14) and his ballet The Creatures of Prometheus.
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