Robert Schumann's (1810-1856) fascination with gypsies
grew out of his encounter with Emanuel Geibel's 'gypsy
poems,' and finally found expression in his
Zigeunerleben, opus 29, no. 3. Schumann musically
portrays Geibel's colorful description of a gypsy
campfire. The piece begins with the mysterious quiet of
'woods filled with shadows and whispering branches,'
and then rising vocal lines depict the flames as they
'flare up to illumine the trees. The close of the piece
captures the nomadic aspect...(+)
Robert Schumann's (1810-1856) fascination with gypsies
grew out of his encounter with Emanuel Geibel's 'gypsy
poems,' and finally found expression in his
Zigeunerleben, opus 29, no. 3. Schumann musically
portrays Geibel's colorful description of a gypsy
campfire. The piece begins with the mysterious quiet of
'woods filled with shadows and whispering branches,'
and then rising vocal lines depict the flames as they
'flare up to illumine the trees. The close of the piece
captures the nomadic aspect of gypsy life with the
final text, 'But where do they go? Who knows where?'"
SHEET MUSIC