Kreisleriana

The Kreisleriana ( op.16 ) is a 1838 piano cycle composed by Robert Schumann, who is regarded as a key work of the Romantic repertoire. ( " Kreisleriana " is the plural word of " Kreislerianum " = Kreisler pieces, so the title means: collection of Kreisler pieces. )

Genesis

The name " Kreisleriana " chose Robert Schumann based on the created by ETA Hoffmann figure of Kapellmeister Kreisler. This fictional character whose opinion Hoffmann often reproduces in his magazine articles, appears in the stories Kreisleriana (included in the collection of Fantasy Pieces in Callot 's manner ), the novella The Golden Pot and the unfinished novel Life and Opinions of Kater Murr. Schumann saw this as the epitome of romantic artistry. According to Robert Schumann was the cycle " Kreisleriana " of his piano compositions of the best. In Kreisler's story can be found Schumann again self- portrait which he has processed in eight fantasy pieces. "They will give you a picture of my character, my aspirations ." With the cycle " Kreisleriana " Schumann portrays not only his own personality, but also shows a picture of his future wife Clara: " Kreisleriana I want to call it, where you play and a thought of you the main role ." The violent clashes between Schumann and Clara's father, Friedrich Wieck, caused that Clara asks a change in the dedication addressed to it. So was the dedication to Frederic Chopin.

The shape

The approximately half-hour work consists of eight individual pieces strongly contrasting character. The individual pieces of the cycle still stand by tonartliche relationship with each other. Six of the eight pieces are in G minor and B flat major. The remaining two are in quint related keys. The corresponding rhythmic and metric between sets stabilizes the whole concept. The sets of two, five, six and seven are marked by a dotted rhythm in the sentences of one to three and six to eight the main theme is designed upbeat. These elements arouse associations of Baroque dance music. The sentences one and three to seven, the three -part ABA form, creating a cyclic unity arises.

Single Records

1 Extremely moved, D minor

2 Very intimate and not too rapidly, in B flat major

3 Very excited, G minor

4 Very slowly, in B flat major - D minor

5 Very lively, G minor

6 Very slowly, in B flat major

7 Very quickly, in C minor - E flat

8 Quick and playing G minor

Swell

• Eva -Maria Schmidt - Adam Meier: Kreisleriana, fantasies for piano Op. 16 In: Helmut Loos ( eds.): Robert Schumann - interpretations of his work. Laaber Verlag, Laaber 2005, ISBN 3-89007-447-2.
• Arnfried Edler: Works for Piano four hands raised up in 1840. Tadday Ulrich (ed.): Schumann manual. Metzler, Stuttgart / Weimar 2006, ISBN 3-476-01671-4, pp. 214-283.