Davidsbündlertänze Book II

Davidsbündlertänze-- Robert Schumann, op.6
Book II

1. (0:00) Like a Ballad. Very Quick-- Book II starts with a bang: this is a moody, tempestuous fit of passion, with fierce syncopated melodies, growling left- hand outbursts, and, in the end, some measure of tranquility. (Florestan)

2. (1:46) Simply-- The very essence of melancholy, and perhaps regret. The opening theme could almost have been written by Paul McCartney. (Eusebius)

3. (3:29) With Humor-- The shortest in the set, and the most mischievous, with a melody leaping precariously above an unstable ragtime left hand. The whole thing is a prank put on by wild-eyed elves. (Florestan)

4. (4:27) Wild and Cheerful-- Ferocious chords drive this piece on and on, higher and higher, toward a near-apocalyptic level of drama. A dreamy and noble middle section is a sudden surprise. So is the ending, which rises and then falls in a glorious murmur. The beast from Book II. (Florestan and Eusebius)

5. (8:21) Tender and Singing-- The highlight of the set? A love song, fashioned with exquisite harmonies. This is Schumann the poet at his most tender, in his most open-armed communion with the world. (Eusebius)

6. (12:04) Fresh-- No, actually, this must be the highlight. The inward contemplation of the previous piece is now directed outward, reaching, soaring like a bird over left-hand waves. Famed pianist Eunice Norton: "I could just play this all day long." (Florestan and Eusebius)

7. (14:30) With Good Humor-- A wild race down the hill, always on the verge of losing control, but all in good fun. Then suddenly the mood changes: becomes mysterious, contemplative, withdrawn. This leads without pause to...

8. (16:30) As If From Afar-- ...first, a slow dreamy depiction of, perhaps, a distant landscape. Eventually this melts into material that feels familiar... could it be?... it's a full reprisal of the second piece from Book I! This time it doesn't die quietly, but erupts in a furious terrible torrent. Where can we go from here? (Florestan and Eusebius)

9. (21:26) Not Fast-- (Schumann writes: "To crown it all, Eusebius said the following, his eyes full of bliss.") The farewell waltz. The party is over, the masks are removed—and Schumann allows us one final dance. Twelve low C's at the end of the piece signify the stokes of midnight, perhaps. Our revels now are ended, the actors melted into thin air.

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Music

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• schumann
• piano
• davidsbundlertanze