Genre

GENRE & GESTURE: ROBERT SCHUMANN. The notion of musical genre underwent significant changes in the first half of the 19th century. The idea of absolute music, the rise of the virtuoso, the flourishing of romanticism, and the explosion of the piano making and music publishing industries had drastic effects on the piano repertoire from that time period. Robert Schumann pushed the boundaries of genre in his music, defended his actions and challenged those of his contemporaries in his writing, and educated future generations with his aphorisms. Schumann s success with the character set and his manipulation of traditional generic expectations in his music for amateurs represent his challenge to inherited notions of musical genre. Pieces like Kinderszenen, Album für die Jugend, and Drei Klaviersonaten für die Jugend exemplify Schumann s innovative steps in the expansion of genre systems and all were written either for or about children. Genre & Gesture provides analytical insights into this repertoire with an emphasis on pianistic gestures and will appeal to pianists, Schumann scholars, pedagogues, composers, and anyone interested in the study of musical gestures and genres.