The Romantic Piano: The Schumanns, Chopin, & Liszt

Johannes Brahms, Intermezzo in A Major, Op. 118, no. 2

Conventions in Performance I. Conventions in Performance (from early 19th c.) A. Sit in Profile B. Play from Memory C. Open Lid D. Play Works by Other Composers E. Recital by Single Performer playing only piano Franz Liszt

18th-century piano sound

19th-century piano sound

Robert and Clara Schumann Frédéric Chopin Franz Liszt The “Romantic Generation”

II. The Cult of the Virtuoso & Piano Etudes A. Virtuoso/Virtuosity Defined B. The Original Virtuoso: Nicolò Paganini C. The Virtuoso Genre: The Etude (e. g. Liszt’s “Wild Hunt”

III. Romantic Miniatures A. Stylized Dances B. Pieces with Generic Titles C. Character Pieces Waltz, Mazurka, Polonaise, Scherzo (e.g. Chopin Mazurka in ) Romance, Impromptu, Nocturne (e.g., Chopin Nocturne in c# minor) Short pieces with descriptive titles Lonely Flowers, Dreaming, Wild Hunt (e.g., Liszt, “Wild Hunt”) Often grouped into larger sets

IV. Innovations in Writing Music for Piano A. Melody in LH, Accompaniment in RH B. Crossing Hands and The 3-hand Trick C. Rapidly Changing Harmonies D. Static, Slowly Changing Harmonies E. Octaves and Double Octaves F. Effects Using the Damper (Right) Pedal

V. A Piece You Can Never Hear: Chopin Prelude in f minor, Op. 28, no. 18 Performance #1 Period 1= 3 Phrases (short, short, longer) Period 2= varies phrase 1 Short Phrases w. Loud Chords Punctuating Octaves with short-note motive (..... ____) Ascending Transition (based on.... ____) Climax Downward Arpeggio and loud staccato notes Two-Chord Final Cadence (minor key)

V. A Piece You Can Never Hear: Chopin Prelude in f minor, Op. 28, no. 18 Performance #2 Period 1= 3 Phrases (short, short, longer) Period 2= varies phrase 1 Short Phrases w. Loud Chords Punctuating Octaves with short-note motive (..... ____) Ascending Transition (based on.... ____) Climax Downward Arpeggio and loud staccato notes Two-Chord Final Cadence (minor key)

V. A Piece You Can Never Hear: Chopin Prelude in f minor, Op. 28, no. 18 Performance #3 Period 1= 3 Phrases (short, short, longer) Period 2= varies phrase 1 Short Phrases w. Loud Chords Punctuating Octaves with short-note motive (..... ____) Ascending Transition (based on.... ____) Climax Downward Arpeggio and loud staccato notes Two-Chord Final Cadence (minor key)

V. A Piece You Can Never Hear: Chopin Prelude in f minor, Op. 28, no. 18 Performance #4 Period 1= 3 Phrases (short, short, longer) Period 2= varies phrase 1 Short Phrases w. Loud Chords Punctuating Octaves with short-note motive (..... ____) Ascending Transition (based on.... ____) Climax Downward Arpeggio and loud staccato notes Two-Chord Final Cadence (minor key)