Schumann: Fantasie, Op. 17

Cambridge Music Handbooks

by Nicholas Marston

Schumann's Fantasie, Op. 17 is one of the finest examples of Romantic piano music. In a rounded picture of this major keyboard work, Nicholas Marston first traces the fascinating history of its composition, drawing on many of Schumann's letters to Clara Wieck and to his publisher, and examining the few surviving sketches: To whom was the work really dedicated? Was the celebrated opening movement perhaps intended as an independent composition? Schumann's own critical writings provide vital insights into his ideas on genre and the relationship between the Fantasie and the many generic and descriptive titles that the composer gave the work before publication. Every aspect of the work is covered, providing the performer, the listener or the student with an understanding not only of the Fantasie, but of Schumann himself as a composer.

136 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 1992

Reviews

[Dominic H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicholas Marston provides reasonably lucid context and ways for approaching this extraordinary three movement quasi-sonata. I was slightly puzzled at the bathetic opening - the non-appearance of Schumann at the Beethoven Monument celebrations in Bonn in 1845 - designed as a modest narrative hook I think but which sort of disintegrates in the telling. I also baulked at the Schenkerian analysis - after a lot of work by author and reader the 'conclusions' don't seem worth the effort. Nevertheless, useful and informative overall.

[Julie Kuvakos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for anyone looking to dig deeper into this specific piano work... particularly good for pianists striving to perform the piece to the composers intentions. I’m curious why there are people who have rated a book like this 1 star.