Unit 3: Robert Schumann and Carnaval

Question 1

Dates

Answer 1

1810-1856

Question 2

Family Background and Education

Answer 2

Born in Zwickau, Germany
Father was an author, publisher, and bookseller; instilled a lifelong love of literature
Lived in the Wieck household, where he met his teacher’s daughter Clara, a piano prodigy

Question 3

Life and Musical Career

Answer 3

Early signs of emotional instability emerged in 1833

Married with Clara Wieck in 1840

Question 4

Musical Style and Contributions

Answer 4

Inspired by Bach’s counterpoint and Beethoven’s structural innovations
Masterful use of syncopation, hemiola, and cross rhythms
Strongest influences were literary, especially Papillons
Did not embrace virtuosity for its own sake

Question 5

Genres and Titles

Answer 5

Symphony No. 1 (“Spring”)
Abegg Variations
Papillons

Question 6

V: Character piece

Answer 6

An instrumental piece, most often for solo piano, that is based on a programmatic idea
Identified by an evocative title
Pieces were often grouped into collections

Question 7

V: sotto voce

Answer 7

Italian term for “under voice”

Played in a soft, intimate manner

Question 8

Carnaval, op. 9: Genre

Answer 8

Collection of character pieces for piano

Question 9

Carnaval, op. 9: Composition Date

Answer 9

1835

Question 10

Carnaval, op. 9: Performing Forces

Answer 10

Solo piano