Piano Quartet (Schumann)

The Piano Quartet in E flat major, Op. 47, by Robert Schumann was written in 1842. It has been described as the "creative double" of Schumann's Piano Quintet, also in E-flat major. It is one of the most frequently performed and recorded piano quartets in the standard repertoire.[1]

Background

The work was composed in 1842, during Schumann's "Chamber Music Year." Prior to that year Schumann had completed no chamber music at all with the exception of an early piano quartet (in 1829). However, during his year-long concentration on the genre he wrote three string quartets and a piano quintet in addition to the piano quartet.

According to John Daverio, the work shows the influence of Franz Schubert's second piano trio, also in E-flat Major.[2]

Form
External audio
Performed by Menahem Pressler and the Emerson String Quartet
I. Sostenuto assai - Allegro ma non troppo
II. Scherzo: Molto vivace
III. Andante cantabile
IV. Finale: Vivace

The piece is in four movements:

  1. Sostenuto assai - Allegro ma non troppo
  2. Scherzo: Molto vivace - Trio I - Trio II
  3. Andante cantabile
  4. Finale: Vivace

First Movement: Sostenuto assai - Allegro ma non troppo

Sonata form

Second Movement: Scherzo: Molto vivace - Trio I - Trio II

This skittering movement resembles the "elfin scherzos" of Mendelssohn.[3]

Third Movement: Andante cantabile

A deeply romantic and song-like, melodic movement, with the cello prominent. It also contains an unusual application of scordatura, with the cello tuning the bottom C down to a B♭ so that it can act as a pedal note.

Finale: Finale: Vivace

A heavily contrapuntal movement built upon the three-note figure introduced in the coda of the preceding movement.[4]

Footnotes
  1. John Daverio, 'Robert Schumann: Herald of a "New Poetic Age."' (1997, Oxford), p. 259
  2. John Daverio, 'Robert Schumann: Herald of a "New Poetic Age."' (1997, Oxford), p. 51
  3. John Daverio, 'Robert Schumann: Herald of a "New Poetic Age."' (1997, Oxford), p. 253
  4. John Daverio, 'Robert Schumann: Herald of a "New Poetic Age."' (1997, Oxford), p. 259-60
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