Instrumental Music: Clara Schumann - Piano Trio in G Minor (1)

Question 1

Instrumentation of this piece?

Answer 1

The Piano Trio (piano, violin and cello) was one of the most important forms of chamber music from the late 18th to well into the 19th century.

Question 2

Importance of each instrument?

Answer 2

The instruments are given fairly equal roles in this movement, unlike many piano
trios, where the piano dominates.

Question 3

What is the structure of this piece?

Answer 3

The movement is in sonata form – the structural pattern established in the Classical
period – which has three main sections:
Exposition (bars 1–90) – repeated
Development (bars 91–164)
Recapitulation (bars 165–288)

Question 4

What textures are particularly dominant in this piece?

Answer 4

Polyphonic textures are less common but the development section contains
passages of close imitation.

Question 5

Tonality of the piece?

Answer 5

The piece is in Gminor tonic with 2nd subject in Bb Major.

Changes key a lot but always to closley related keys

Question 6

Harmony of the piece?

Answer 6

The harmony is predominantly tonal and diatonic, using functional progressions. However, typical of the romantic period, there are some elements of more complex harmony:
diminished seventh chords – often used instead of V7
augmented sixth chords – usually used to approach chord V or Ic
chords involving more dissonant extensions – e.g chord at bar 83 has elements of a dominant minor ninth
suspensions are plentiful
Uses a cycle of 5th chord progressions at points

Question 7

Important points about the Melody of the piece?

Answer 7

Sonata form is also about melodic contrast and Schumann ensures that there is
sufficient contrast of character between her main melodic ideas.
There are many examples of chromatic writing.

Question 8

Tempo of the piece?

Answer 8

Allegro moderato. There is a short poco rit. in the second subject group, but
otherwise the tempo is unchanged.

Question 9

Metre of the piece?

Answer 9

The 4/4 metre – four crotchet beats are heard in the passages with more rapid
harmonic rhythm (bars 5–6), but quite often the feel is more of 2/2.

Question 10

Notable rhythms in the piece?

Answer 10

The themes all have a distinctive rhythmic character. For example, 1(c) has dotted
rhythms, and 2(a) is syncopated.
1(c) and (d) both open with an anacrusis.
There are many lively rhythms and much quaver passage work.
There are quite frequent syncopations, but never extreme enough to lose the strong sense of pulse and metre.