Robert Schumann, One of the outstanding romantic composers of the 19th centvry, tried to connect music and literature under the influence of romantic literature, and set character pieces that seems to be the characteristic of ramantic music in the rig...
Robert Schumann, One of the outstanding romantic composers of the 19th centvry, tried to connect music and literature under the influence of romantic literature, and set character pieces that seems to be the characteristic of ramantic music in the right derection. The piano dominate schumann's creative activity between 1828 and 1839, most of his essential musical characteristics are revealed in his piano music. Among these character pieces, the writer analyzed Fantasiestu¨cke, Op. 12 that reveals his individuality, in terms of the musical elements such as from, melody, rhythm, harmony and tonality.The results of analysis are as follows :
1. Each pice of this work, which expresses contrasting atmosphere, has binary or ternary from. But some has exceptions, that is, No. 2 is seven part rondo form and No. 4 is sonata-rondo form.
2. The themes are motivic, but the phrases are largrly composed of four measures and it progresses in order, and also, there are many repeated phrases and periods written canonically.
3. Patterns of dotted rhythm, syncopation and cross rhythm are shown abundantly in these pieces.
4. In harmony, various altered chords and diminished seventh chords are used for expression of his emotion, and nonharmonic tones on the accented beats or at the very opening accur frequently.Changes of tonality accur frequently and modulation to the mediant or subdominant key and mutation are noticeable.