This piece originates from Robert Schumann's 'Album für die Jugend' - a collection of 43 short works that were composed for his three daughters. The opus 68 'Album für die Jugend' is, unlike 'Kinderszenen', meant to be played by children, although the collection is divided in two parts - and the second is marked 'Für Erwachsenere', from no. 19, 'Kleine Romanze', onwards. 

'Wilder Reiter', or - as it is more commonly referred to, 'The Wild Horseman', is the eight piece of the collection. It is a short and easy, albeit wonderful piece due to its evocative, enthralling composition. It is essentially a lesson in staccato phrasing (one can really imagine the horseman trotting about), and teaches the pianist how to lead the cantabile with both hands, while accompanying with the other. The first section, where the melody is led by the right hand, is repeated. What follows is an intermezzo, if you will, where the left hand leads the melody - an inverse variation on the first section. The piece concludes with a third repetition of the first section. 

I am fascinated by the images that the piece conjures. Is the horseman clad in medieval armour, riding past you in a jousting roundabout? In measures 5 through 8 I deliberately retained some intensity in favour of conveying how the horseman has galloped past the listener (who is of course, stationary), and is making another pass. The second section, measures 9 through 16, seem to indicate the 'wild' in the horseman. Is he perhaps struggling to contain the horse, who has run amok? But then the first section is repeated, and the controlled, frivolous atmosphere reassures and consoles the listener. 

illustration: Géricault - 'Head of White Horse', ca. 1810, Musée du Louvre, Paris

R. Schumann - Wilder Reiter (The Wild Horseman) op. 68 no. 8 in A minor

left with the residue of what there isn ‛t

Gil Shaham, director and violin soloist
Recorded at the Sydney Opera House on Saturday 4 July 2015
Audio kindly supplied by Silver Partner ABC Classic FM

JS BACH Violin Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041: 2. Andante

Ludwig van Beethoven - Symphony 7 . Time 2.

Chopin's etude, known as the Revolutionary etude in the key of c minor. It features a powerful combination of fast and furious left hand running passages with right hand intense chords. Towards the end, and after an unexpected change of key to G-flat major, the music suddenly struggles between major and minor keys, ending triumphantly in a powerful "victory" chord of C MAJOR. Chopin did not call the etude "Revolutionary" but it is said to represent the struggle of his native country, Poland, as it was being invaded by Russia. The ending in a big, loud C Major Chord is very meaningful, as it could represent victory to his homeland.

Frederic Chopin (Poland)- Etude op. 10, No.12 in c minor "Revolutionary"

Guest conductor David Lockington leads the NEC Philharmonia and student soloist Huijuan Pan in Franz LIszt's Concerto for PIano No. 1 in E Flat Major. The performance was recorded live on April 12, 2011 at NEC's Jordan Hall.
For more information about New England Conservatory: http://necmusic.edu

Liszt - Concerto for Piano No. 1 in E flat major  - Quasi adagio -  Allegretto vivace -  Allegro animato

Johannes Brahms:
Two Intermezzi from Klavierstucke Op. 119, in b minor and e minor

Johannes Brahms

YouTube: Trumpeter Choi

https://youtube.com/user/TrumpeterCHOI

Schubert Serenade-Trumpeter Choi

Beethoven piano concerto n°5 op 73 "Emperor" mvt II & III

Bach

Robert Schumann - Romance Op. 28 No. 2

Making classical music more understandable, accessible and enjoyable to more audiences through a unique "Musical Journey". For bookings or to join mailing list: https://www.martinsoderberg.com/management

Frederic Chopin (Poland)- Etude op. 10, No.12 in c minor "Revolutionary"

Martin Soderberg

Recent comments

The fallen archangel

Related tracks