R. Schumann "Brave rider"
The outstanding German composer Robert Schumann has one extraordinary work that occupies a special place in his work. This is a collection of piano miniatures called "Album for the Young." The cycle, consisting of forty-three small pieces, specially created for beginning musicians, won great love since its appearance, because its images, brightly painted by the composer with the help of musical sounds, inhabit the magical land of childhood, so clear and close to the younger generation. At the present time "Album for the Young" is very popular, and many works included in this collection are very famous. For example, the play "Brave rider". She can be heard today performed by young musicians on virtually all instruments that are taught in music schools.
Story
The history of the piano miniature "The Bold Rider" is inextricably linked with the creation Robert Schumann piano cycle "Album for the Young", the composition of which was in 1848. The composer, who loved his children very much, was waiting for the birthday of his eldest daughter Maria with a cheerful mood: the girl on September 1 was to be seven years old.
Preparing a surprise gift, Schumann composed a small piece for his beloved baby, which all family members liked. Such cordial approval from relatives pushed the composer to the idea of creating a whole collection of small pieces, so that they would not only be perceived with interest by children, but would also help with enthusiasm to master the art of playing the piano. Without delay, Robert immediately sat down to implement his plan and almost a week later presented a whole cycle of remarkable miniatures for discussion of the family, including the “Brave Rider”. From the memoirs of one of Schumann’s daughters, the composer approached the title of this work with a sense of humor, since the main image of this piece was a little boy, riding a rocking horse.
After the work was finished, all the miniatures were divided by Schumann according to the complexity of the musical material into two notebooks and given to the publishing house. The collection, originally titled "Christmas Album for Children", first saw the light in the last days of 1848, and it received its present name, Album for the Young, in 1851, when the second edited edition came out.
Content
Despite the minor tonality chosen by the composer, “The Bold Rider” is a play that is cheerful and lively in character, in which Schumann colorfully painted a little “brave horseman”. The agitated rider, overcoming obstacles and bouncing in the saddle, rushes to the destination. He, constantly pushing his horse, boldly rushes forward. In the music, which reflects the rhythm of the frisky races, the hoof of horse hooves is clearly heard. The vivid image of the play, as well as its emotional background, is created using musical means that the composer has skillfully chosen.
The play is written in a simple three-part form with a reprise, which exactly repeats the first part.
The bold rider's melody begins with an attack. It is in continuous rhythmic pulsation in a three-part size, with jerky jumps over the sounds of a tonic triad rushes up. The lively character and enthusiasm of the music gives it a staccato presentation.
The intonation charm of the melodic line adds Sforzando on the first lobes in the second, third, sixth and seventh bars. However, it should be noted that this does not imply a sharp accent, but only a small selection with the general sound of the mezzo forte, or rather even the performance of the tenuto sound, that is, it must be kept to the end without weakening.
The middle section of the thumbnail can be viewed as the contrast of the first part. Firstly, it is written in major, and secondly, the melody from the upper one is transmitted to the lower voice. Because of this, the nature of the music changes and becomes more animated and temperamental.
The main difficulties encountered in the performance of the play "Brave Rider".
- It is necessary to find the balance of the volume of the melody and accompaniment sound.
- For an elegant and bright performance of this work requires a good mastery of the wrist staccato, while not forgetting the significant role of the fingers, which should be very active.
"Brave Rider" - this small miniature, part of the cycle "Album for the Young", composed Robert SchumannToday it is one of the most performed works included in the pedagogical repertoire of children's music schools. It is played not only on the piano, as originally intended by the author, but also on many other instruments, since not only artistic, but also the pedagogical value of this work is great.
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