Progetto Martha Argerich

italiano

Works

Robert Schumann

Carnaval, Op. 9

 

Carnaval, Op. 9, composed in 1834-35, is one of Schumann’s most important keyboard works, not only on account of its intrinsic musical value but also because it most eloquently represents Schumann’s typical disposition towards irony and masks. The work is a gallery of personality portraits – real personalities like Chopin and Paganini and imaginary ones like the tender Eusebius and the passionate Florestan, the last two doubling for the composer’s own personality. These characters are blended with the evocation of impalpable female creatures like Chiarina and Estrella. The composition ends with a liberating March of the Leagues of David against the Philistines – a strange march in 3/4 time rather than in the usual duple metre, and unusually long with respect to the nearly aphoristic nature of the other pieces. In this implacable cavalcade against everything commonplace, Schumann summons forth the imaginary “Leagues of David”, which he had invented as part of his battle against musical conservatism and had made the protagonists of an entire earlier composition, the Davidsbündlertänze, Op. 6.

1. Préambule
2. Pierrot
3. Arlequin
4. Valse noble
5. Eusebius
6. Florestan
7. Coquette
8. Réplique
9. Papillons
10. A.S.C.H. - S.C.H.A.: Lettres dansantes
11. Chiarina
12. Chopin
13. Estrella
14. Reconnaissance
15. Pantalon et Colombine
16. Valse allemande
17. Paganini
18. Aveu
19. Promenade
20. Pause
21. Marche des "Davidsbündler" contre le Philistins

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