Week 1: Voicing, Texture in Schumann's Music

Welcome to Week 1 of the latest Two-Week Intensive!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RJ1WsNPulY

 

This week, you’ll choose one or two pieces and study the harmonic colours, voices, and texture. This should help you memorize the text and understand its shape.

 

 

Preparatory Step: Gather Information

 

A) Listen to the repertoire list and choose the piece(s) you'd like to focus on for this TWI. (from Kinderszenen 3-4 pieces may work). Recommended pianists: Virsaladze, Argerich, Cortot, Horowitz, Richter, João-Pires, Arrau, Ashkenazy, Lupu, Perahia, Gavrilov, Merzhanov, Uchida, Grimaud, Nikolayeva

 

B) Research your chosen piece on G. Henle Verlag website. Click on Preface and Comments  under the cover picture.

 

C) Watch any of these videos about Schumann and his music:

 

Overview of Schumann: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbF86ag4Rvk

Claudio Arrau on Schumann: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4ty6yJjF8U

Simon Rattle on Schumann and Brahms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXTTlKdy5q4

Mitsuko Uchida on Schumann: https://youtu.be/u1vYu56xY9w?si=Ney0HGSqBkYZI8zs

 

1. Anatomy of Poetry: Voices of Harmony

 

A. Write the main theme in SATB open score. Each layer/voice should have its own staff (see photo 1).

 

B. Label chords (symbols, Roman Numerals, etc).

 

C. Play from your open score and singing in solfege or open syllables, in the following order:

Alto

Tenor

Bass

Alto + Tenor

Tenor + Bass

Alto + Tenor + Bass

Memorize Alto+Tenor+Bass

*If your piece’s melody is in Alto, Tenor, or Bass, work on the other voices. Learn harmony first.

 

For TWI Forum:

Upload your open score to the chat for comments.

1. Anatomy of Poetry: Texture

Study the texture and consider the following as you work.

 

—Count the total number of notes in each chord and write the total on the score. (see photo 2). 

 

—Identify textures, ie. monophonic, biphonic/duet, polyphonic, homophonic, etc. Label changes in texture, ie. “Subito monophony” (abrupt or instant reduction of voices to a single voice, eg. Romances Op. 28 nr. 2, m. 17.)  

 

—Describe topics, moods, emotions, instruments, or ideas indicated by textures. Descriptive phrases should metaphorize related elements and point to changing states, eg, “The harmony ambiguates as texture thins: it sounds like the experience of losing one’s train of thought.” 

 

—Determine where sustain and/or sostenuto pedal will be necessary and the quantity needed: full-/half-/quarter-sustain, fluttering, no pedal, etc. Record the harmony using a variety of approaches to pedal.

 

For TWI Forum:

Upload a performance of the harmonic voices

Upload a performance of the different pedal changes (say aloud "change" or "quarter pedal" or "flutter" so it's clear where you're doing these)