The Fantasie in C major, Op. 17, includes quotations from Beethoven's iconic song-cycle An die ferne Geliebte (To the distant beloved), which would have been recognized by Clara Wieck and Franz Liszt.
Composer Biography
Robert Schumann, the composer, was secretly engaged to Clara Wieck, who was nine years his junior, and her father Friedrich Wieck tried to keep them apart.
Performer Biography
Llŷr Williams, the Welsh pianist, is known for his profound musical intelligence and expressive interpretations, and has performed with all major UK orchestras.
Composition History
The Fantasie in C major, Op. 17, was initially conceived by Schumann as a 'Grand Sonata for the Pianoforte for Beethoven's memorial' to help raise funds for a statue of Beethoven in Bonn.
Compositional Technique
In the Davidsbündlertänze, Op. 6, each movement is assigned to one of Schumann's alter-egos, Florestan (wild) or Eusebius (mild), representing contrasting emotional states.
Composition History
Schumann's piano works, including the Fantasie in C major, Op. 17, were often a series of 'private letters' to Clara Wieck, expressing his deepest feelings during their enforced separation.
Composer Biography
Schumann launched an influential musical journal, Neue Zeitschrift fur Musik, in 1834 and gathered friends to contribute, forming an imaginary 'League of David' (Davidsbundler) to fight against 'Philistine' tastes.
