MuPC 141 Instrument Repertoire – Prof. Eduardo Pasamba

Submitted by Emlyn S. Ponce, Viola

Position Paper (Midterms) – August 29, 2012

*SCHUMANN – Adagio and Allegro op. 70

Robert Schumann’s Adagio and Allegro was composed on February 1849, considered as his fruitful years due to the number of compositions he made. He even considered titling the piece “Romance and Allegro.” It was originally written for horn and piano, as his answer to the advances made earlier in the development of Ventilhorn, or valved horn, which allowed it to play exact pitches. The Adagio is based on a plaintive melody that takes the ability of the horn to play precise half-steps, which is answered by the piano, then gradually builds upon itself, undergoes several harmonic modulations, then quietly retreats to its restful close. Then, the contrasting boisterous Allegro, which is Rondo in form, begins with dynamic triplets, which utilizes the full range of horn, then, alternating with more poetic episodes that share melodic motives with the Adagio before rushing the piece to its vivacious end. After its publication in 1849, Schumann allowed that the solo part could also be played on violin, viola or cello.