Märchenerzailungen, Op. 132 (Schumann)
Movements
i Lebhaft, nicht zu schnell ii Lebhaft und sehr markirt iii Ruhiges Tempo, mit zartem Ausdruck; iv Lebhaft, sehr markirt
Notes
Märchenerzählungen (Fairy tale narrations) is a trio composition by Robert Schumann in four movements for clarinet (violin ad libitum), viola and piano. He composed the clarinetviola-piano trio in B-flat major, between 9 and 11 October 1853. The movements are connected by a motif (Kernmotiv). The work is dedicated to Schumann’s pupil Albert Dietrich, and was published in 1854 by Breitkopf & Härtel. The composition, one of Schumann’s last works, he was interested in the “picturesque and the fanciful”, but left no link to specific fairy tales. The composition was completed in a few days. Clara Schumann noted in her diary: “Today Robert completed 4 pieces for piano, clarinet and viola and was very happy about it. He thinks that this compilation will appear highly romantic.” The pieces were first performed privately by Clara as the pianist, the violist Ruppert Becker and the clarinettist Johann Kochner.
