Robert Schumann in Three Pieces
Encyclopedia
Robert Schumann in Three Pieces is the collective title given to three works, composed for the Avenue A ensemble by the British composer, Matthew King
. Together, they constitute a musical portrait of the German Romantic composer, Robert Schumann
. The first piece, entitled Ash on the Ground is a passacaglia
in which various compositions by Schumann are quoted; the second piece, entitled Love in a Life has a soprano soloist, and is a miniature song cycle to texts by Robert Schumann himself, along with poems by Robert Browning
and Elizabeth Barrett Browning
. It has been described, by one critic, as "rich and sumptuous, with some spine-tingling moments" the third piece, entitled Night Phantoms and Rocking Horses is a rapid musical survey of Schumann's piano music at a furious galloping tempo. The work ends with fragments of celeste
and percussion sounding like a wound-down music box.
Robert Schumann in Three Pieces has been recorded by the Avenue A ensemble on the Weave Records label.
Matthew King (composer)
Matthew King is a British composer and pianist. His works include opera, piano and chamber music, choral and orchestral pieces.-Career:...
. Together, they constitute a musical portrait of the German Romantic composer, Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann, sometimes known as Robert Alexander Schumann, was a German composer, aesthete and influential music critic. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most representative composers of the Romantic era....
. The first piece, entitled Ash on the Ground is a passacaglia
Passacaglia
The passacaglia is a musical form that originated in early seventeenth-century Spain and is still used by contemporary composers. It is usually of a serious character and is often, but not always, based on a bass-ostinato and written in triple metre....
in which various compositions by Schumann are quoted; the second piece, entitled Love in a Life has a soprano soloist, and is a miniature song cycle to texts by Robert Schumann himself, along with poems by Robert Browning
Robert Browning
Robert Browning was an English poet and playwright whose mastery of dramatic verse, especially dramatic monologues, made him one of the foremost Victorian poets.-Early years:...
and Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Elizabeth Barrett Browning was one of the most prominent poets of the Victorian era. Her poetry was widely popular in both England and the United States during her lifetime. A collection of her last poems was published by her husband, Robert Browning, shortly after her death.-Early life:Members...
. It has been described, by one critic, as "rich and sumptuous, with some spine-tingling moments" the third piece, entitled Night Phantoms and Rocking Horses is a rapid musical survey of Schumann's piano music at a furious galloping tempo. The work ends with fragments of celeste
Celesta
The celesta or celeste is a struck idiophone operated by a keyboard. Its appearance is similar to that of an upright piano or of a large wooden music box . The keys are connected to hammers which strike a graduated set of metal plates suspended over wooden resonators...
and percussion sounding like a wound-down music box.
Robert Schumann in Three Pieces has been recorded by the Avenue A ensemble on the Weave Records label.