Composer

:

Robert Schumann

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Romance

Compose Date

:

1849

Average_duration

:

13:13

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Robert Schumann's 'Romanzen und Balladen II (5), Op. 75' is a collection of five songs for voice and piano, composed in 1849. The premiere of the work took place in Leipzig in the same year, with the composer's wife, Clara Schumann, performing the piano accompaniment. The five movements of the work are titled as follows: "Die beiden Grenadiere" (The Two Grenadiers), "Die feindlichen Brüder" (The Hostile Brothers), "Der Handschuh" (The Glove), "Edward" and "Der hussitische Kriegsgefangene" (The Hussite Prisoner of War). The first movement, "Die beiden Grenadiere," is a setting of a poem by Heinrich Heine. It tells the story of two soldiers who return home from war, only to find that their country has been defeated. The music is somber and mournful, reflecting the sadness of the soldiers' situation. The second movement, "Die feindlichen Brüder," is based on a ballad by Ludwig Uhland. It tells the story of two brothers who are on opposite sides of a war. The music is dramatic and intense, with the piano accompaniment providing a sense of urgency and tension. The third movement, "Der Handschuh," is a setting of a poem by Friedrich Schiller. It tells the story of a knight who throws his glove at the feet of a lady, challenging her to find a champion to fight for her honor. The music is playful and light-hearted, with a sense of humor that reflects the irony of the situation. The fourth movement, "Edward," is a setting of a ballad by Thomas Percy. It tells the story of a young man who kills his lover in a fit of jealousy. The music is dark and brooding, with a sense of foreboding that reflects the tragic nature of the story. The final movement, "Der hussitische Kriegsgefangene," is a setting of a poem by Robert Reinick. It tells the story of a prisoner of war who longs to be free. The music is hopeful and uplifting, with a sense of optimism that reflects the prisoner's desire for freedom. Overall, 'Romanzen und Balladen II (5), Op. 75' is a collection of songs that showcases Schumann's ability to set poetry to music. Each movement has its own unique character and mood, reflecting the different stories and emotions conveyed in the texts. The work is a testament to Schumann's skill as a composer and his ability to capture the essence of a poem through music.

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