Robert Schumann (1810 – 1856) was a German composer,
pianist, and influential music critic. He is widely
regarded as one of the greatest composers of the
Romantic era. Schumann left the study of law, intending
to pursue a career as a virtuoso pianist. His teacher,
Friedrich Wieck, a German pianist, had assured him that
he could become the finest pianist in Europe, but a
hand injury ended this dream. Schumann then focused his
musical energies on composing. In 1840, Schumann
married Friedrich Wi...(+)
Robert Schumann (1810 – 1856) was a German composer,
pianist, and influential music critic. He is widely
regarded as one of the greatest composers of the
Romantic era. Schumann left the study of law, intending
to pursue a career as a virtuoso pianist. His teacher,
Friedrich Wieck, a German pianist, had assured him that
he could become the finest pianist in Europe, but a
hand injury ended this dream. Schumann then focused his
musical energies on composing. In 1840, Schumann
married Friedrich Wieck's daughter Clara Wieck, after a
long and acrimonious legal battle with Friedrich, who
opposed the marriage. A lifelong partnership in music
began, as Clara herself was an established pianist and
music prodigy. Clara and Robert also developed a close
relationship with German composer Johannes Brahms.
Until 1840, Schumann wrote exclusively for the piano.
Later, he composed piano and orchestral works, and many
Lieder (songs for voice and piano). He composed four
symphonies, one opera, and other orchestral, choral,
and chamber works. His best-known works include
Carnaval, Symphonic Studies, Kinderszenen,
Kreisleriana, and the Fantasie in C. Schumann was known
for infusing his music with characters through motifs,
as well as references to works of literature. These
characters bled into his editorial writing in the Neue
Zeitschrift für Musik (New Journal for Music), a
Leipzig-based publication that he co-founded.
Schumann suffered from a mental disorder that first
manifested in 1833 as a severe melancholic depressive
episode—which recurred several times alternating with
phases of "exaltation" and increasingly also delusional
ideas of being poisoned or threatened with metallic
items. What is now thought to have been a combination
of bipolar disorder and perhaps mercury poisoning led
to "manic" and "depressive" periods in Schumann's
compositional productivity. After a suicide attempt in
1854, Schumann was admitted at his own request to a
mental asylum in Endenich (now in Bonn). Diagnosed with
psychotic melancholia, he died of pneumonia two years
later at the age of 46, without recovering from his
mental illness.
Marked by its technical bravura, "Widmung" (or
Dedication in English) has remained one of the most
popular encore pieces in piano recital, allowing
pianists to display their virtuosity. However, Widmung
is much more than a mere showpiece – containing
probably the most passionate music writing and most
heartfelt feelings. Written by Robert Schumann in 1840
(this piece was from a set of Lieder called Myrthen,
Op.25), this piece was later arranged for piano solo by
Franz Liszt. Myrthen was dedicated to Clara Wieck as a
wedding gift, as he finally married Clara in September,
despite the opposition from Clara’s father (who was
also Robert’s piano teacher).
The work starts with a flowing sense of pulse, while
the first phrase (“Du meine Seele, du mein Herz”)
already captures Schumann’s love for Clara and
devotion to the relationship. Here, Schumann sincerely
confesses to Clara, declaring how important she is to
him. For him, Clara is his angel, his spiritual
support, and his entire world. Nevertheless, there is
still a sense of fear and insecurity in the music, due
to separation and uncertainty about their future. This
complex mixture of feelings, as a true and full-bodied
representation of love, certainly strengthens the
emotional power of the music. Then, the music moves on
to the chordal section in E major. The repeated chords
convey warmth, tenderness and peace, especially when
the text here is associated with death and heaven.
Here, the love has changed into everlasting, eternal
one – love that transcends space and time. Tthe music
reaches its most technically brilliant and rousing part
with arpeggios on right hand and chords highlighting
the melodic line on left hand, revealing Schumann’s
most intimate feelings. It is the moment when
Schumann’s love for Clara becomes so dramatic and
uncontrollable, and eventually erupts – a perfect
combination of rapture, passion, commitment and sense
of elevation. The rich orchestral colours (such as the
harp-like figurations, quasi-brass calls) in the music
further heightens the emotional intensity and
outpouring of love.
Source: Wikipedia
(https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/schumann-widmung)
Although originally composed for Voice and Piano, I
created this Interpretation of "Widmung" (Dedication
Op. 25 No. 1) for Oboe & Concert (Pedal) Harp.
SHEET MUSIC