Instrumental music Context

When was Clara Schumann Born?

1819

When did Schumann write her Piano Trio in G minor?

1846

What was Schumann going through at the time of composing this piece?

She had just had a miscarriage and was dealing with her husband Robert who had severe mental health problems. In 1854 he was put into a psychiatric facility where he died.

What did Clara Schumann believe about female composers?

“A woman must not desire to compose”

How old was Clara when she met Robert?

She was 9 when Robert was 18.

What period was she composing in?

Romantic

What periods/styles of music can we see in her work?

Whilst it is largely romantic there are some elements of classical music that we can see.

What was Schumann’s relationship like with her father?

He was abusive and also forbade her to marry Robert. He was also overbearing and planned her life out for her.

What else did Schumann do other than compose?

She toured around Europe as a concert pianist

Clara Schumann was known as the ‘… of Piano’

‘Queen of Piano’

What was the influence of upper middle classes on chamber music?

Could afford ‘salons’ - small informal performance spaces for chamber music to be performed in

Explain the development of the piano

The harpsichord, popular in the baroque period is out. Now the piano is popular with pedals, expressive dynamic range and large pitch range

When was Hector Berlioz born?

1803

When did he write Symphonie Fantastique? How many movements is the piece?

1830 and is 5 movements long (unusual)

Symphonie Fantastique is autobiographical. What is Berlioz trying to express?

The ever changing emotions of love as he composes his love for actress Harriet Smithson who he became infatuated with after seeing her perform. He was so obsessed he once threaten to overdose on opium if she didn’t marry him

One may describe Berlioz’s symphony as p…

programatic

What period was Berlioz composing in?

Romantic period coming off the Classical backbone. He was ground breaking for his time.