Discussion of Schumann’s Musical Characterization in Carnaval, op. 9
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Date
2022-10-26
Authors
LIU, TINGYU
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to discuss Schumann’s fictional characters from Carnaval, op.9 and how Schumann expressed the unique aspects of each character in his music. I will apply
Schenkerian analysis to explore the various structural layers of the music of these fictional
characters and Schumann’s friends: Pierrot, Arlequin, Eusebius, Florestan, Coquette, Pantalon et
Colombine, Chiarina, Estrella, Chopin and Paganini. Through my Schenkerian graphs, I hope to
show that each piece coheres within itself, that pieces share middle-ground structures, that motifs
come back at different levels, and that the musical structure contributes to the characterization, as
well as the surface textures.