Robert Schumann's work is connected with his worldview and perception of the world, which he passed through his senses. The great composer believed that spiritual impulses were the driving force of the universe, while thought was given a small role and significance. That is why all of his works are so deep, emotional and sensual, one of them was the famous "Kreislerian" by Schumann.
The birth of a genius
The future author of great works was born in the small town of Zwickau in the family of a book publisher. Having become the fifth child in the family, the boy had to continue the work of his father, at least that was what his parents dreamed about. From a young age, they instilled in the kid a love of reading, and in the end they managed to do it. But a casual visit to a concert by the pianist Mosheles forever changed something in Robert's mind.
Taking piano lessons and dreaming of the possibility of freely playing music, Schumann could not deceive the expectations of his parents. That is why he entered the Faculty of Law, comprehended the wisdom of science there. Only a meeting with the famous Frederick Wieck helped him start a new path. He managed not only to help the guy in improving the technique of the game, but also to break the resistance of strict parents, only fate had his own plans for a talented young man.
After a serious injury to his hands on playing music and concerts, Schumann had to forget forever. But he could not refuse creativity, so he concentrated on composing music, combining it with journalism.
Marriages are made in heaven
For many years, the faithful companion for the gifted writer was the beloved daughter of his teacher, Clara Wieck, who was an outstanding pianist. Upon learning of the choice of a talented heiress, Frederick changed his attitude towards a potential son-in-law. He did not consider him capable of providing the girl with everything necessary. But the novice pianist, for the sake of love, broke off relations with relatives, becoming for the chosen one not only a wife and mother, but also a muse. She raised their eight children, gave concerts and never reproached her beloved spouse.
Talent Features
Schumann was able to most concisely designate his piano works, giving them a name based on the central leitmotif. He selflessly worked with impulse and passion, doing everything possible to ensure that listeners not only hear notes or sounds, but also read through them the feelings of the composer.
Such a titanic work was not always easy for him and required enormous mental expenses, but the genius could not leave art, not knowing what else to fill his own existence with.
Schumann was able to express many personal feelings in The Kreislerian, which was written on the basis of experiences from reading Hoffmann's works. The composers of that romantic era used the technique of programming works, linking them to a literary source of inspiration, using it as a libretto.
Schumann's Analysis of the Chrysler
Being a loyal fan of Hoffmann's books, Robert composed many of his works precisely on the basis of his works. Schumann created his "Kreislerianu" under the influence of the image of the crazy eccentric Johann Kreisler. Being on the rise of feelings and emotions, the composer, who dedicated the work to his beloved wife, worked on its creation tirelessly.
In “Kreislerian,” Schumann used various polyphonic techniques, in particular, polyrhythmics, highlighting rhythmic isolation of bass voices that expressed anxiety, delayed or ahead of the main melody.
He was worried whether the public would be able to accept and understand his work, which might seem complicated and busy from the side.
But in the end, it was Schumann's “Kreislerian” notes that became one of the most striking pages in the author’s creative biography, even by his own admission. It was an autobiographical and frank work that silenced even the most notable wit. They positively accepted the play, like most others created by a timid and insanely talented master who had so little earthly life.
Each time, painfully experiencing creative crises, he brought himself to nervous exhaustion and independently decided on treatment in a clinic for mentally ill people. It was there that he died, failing to get rid of schizophrenia, which is increasingly manifested in the last years of the life of a real genius.
"Kreisleriana" performed by Vladimir Horowitz in the video above.