Schumann's Fantasy

"This is my most impassioned work" wrote Robert Schumann in a letter describing the creation of his Fantasy. Composed in approximately 1836 during the time that Clara was away from him, he poored all of his attention and artist creation into this piece of music. It is a major tribute to Beethoven as wel as a yearning for Clara. Clues to this are hidden throughout the piece. For instance, there is a distinct five-note decending scale symbolizing the five letters of Clara's name. Also, in the Adagio section of the first movement, Schumann quotes "To My Distant Beloved" which is from Beethoven's first song cycle. It is also a reference to Clara, his "distant beloved". There are several other sections in this piece where Schumann hints at major works of Beethoven, such as the beginning of the third movement where the opening is extremely similar to that of the moonlight sonata. This piece is incredibly beautiful and perhaps my favorite work by Schumann.