SCHUMANN, Robert

Märchenbilder for viola and piano op. 113

I. Nicht schnell

Lawrence Power, guest professor

Adriana Snape Bermejo, student

Antonia Valente, accompanying pianist

After the student's performance, Prof. Power talks generally about this work and Schumann. The text is very important, and the student needs to be more expressive to convey the character and lyricism of each movement.

Returning to the first movement, Power comments on the importance and difficulty of finding the appropriate sound and color; this movement is like a dream. For the opening measures, he makes suggestions regarding phrasing—the legato needs to be very intense, the agogics, seeking variety and contrast. The professor continues making proposals to recreate the most suitable sound atmosphere for the piece. Power also talks about the dialogue between the viola and piano, the dynamics, proposes fingerings, a different attack and contact with the string, and about the final arpeggio.

Language: English