Three Fantasiestücke, Op. 111

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# Three Fantasiestücke, Op. 111 Three Fantasiestücke for piano, Op. 111, were written in 1851 by Robert Schumann. Three Fantasiestücke for piano, Op. 111, composed in 1851, is one of four works by Schumann entitled Fantasiestücke. The other three are: The title was inspired by the collection of letters and writings about music published in 1814–1815, Fantasy Pieces in Callot's Manner by E. T. A. Hoffmann, one of Schumann's favourite authors. The composer greatly appreciated the 17th-century engraver's sense of fantasy.[2] Schumann composed the Op. 111 in 1851, a few months after his appointment as Generalmusikdirektor of the Düsseldorf Orchestra.[3] In September, Clara Schumann wrote in her diary: "Robert has composed three piano pieces of a grave and passionate character which I like very much."[4] In these three pieces, Schumann recaptures the "passionate tone that was characteristic of the Fantasiestücke, Op. 12, composed fourteen years earlier in 1837.[5] They reveal "the composer's ardour, impetuosity and inner youth, followed by a contemplative and peaceful atmosphere".[6] He is said to have written them as a tribute to Beethoven's Opus 111, the Piano Sonata No. 32, because of his predilection for this work.[6] Schumann gave precise indications concerning the tempo, but each pianist adapts it according to his temperament. As a result, the total duration of the performance of the three pieces is variable, between 10 and 12 minutes. The two pianists James Friskin and Irwin Freundlich present the Three Fantasiestücke for piano, Op. 111 as follows:[7] "These short pieces were intended to be played in sequence; but this does not seem absolutely essential."[7] 1. Sehr rasch, mit leidenschaftlichem Vortrag [Very quickly, with passionate expression] ( Molto vivace et appassionatamente) in C minor 2. Ziemlich langsam (Quite slow) (Piuttosto lento), in A-flat major 3. Kräftig und sehr markirt [Powerful and very marked] (Con forza, assai marcato), in C minor Some performances of Robert Schumann's Three Fantasiestücke Op.111: