The Humoreske, Op. 20, features an enigmatic passage marked 'Hastig' where an 'inner voice' melody is to be imagined by the performer rather than played.
Historical Context
In his Carnival Scenes from Vienna, Schumann daringly includes a reference to the French revolutionary song 'La Marseillaise,' which was banned in Imperial Vienna under Metternich's censorship.
Composition History
Schumann's Fantasie in C major, Op. 17, was conceived as a personal contribution to a monument dedicated to Beethoven.
Compositional Technique
The Fantasie in C major originally had three mysterious movement titles: 'Ruins, Trophies, and Palms,' which Schumann later suppressed before publication.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Schumann aimed to create a "poetic music" that would transcend everyday language and explore the inner realm of the mind, pursuing the Romantic search for the Absolute.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded in May 2025 at the Gustav-Mahler-Hall in Dobbiaco, Italy, with Nicolas Bartholomée as artistic director and sound engineer.
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