Piano quintet in Eb major, op. 44 by Robert Schumann : transcribed for clarinet quartet and piano
Abstract
Few substantial works exist for clarinet quartet and piano, even though such
pieces would be of great practical use to advanced students. Piano quintets transcribed
for four clarinets and piano would undoubtedly retain musical value and not compromise
the masterworks involved. This treatise presents an arrangement of Robert Schumann’s
Piano Quintet in Eb, Op. 44, transcribed for three Bb soprano clarinets and one Bb bass
clarinet. The first chapter includes a historical background of chamber music literature
containing clarinet quartet as well a justification for both the need and purpose for such a
transcription. Chapter 2 contains the history of the piano quintet genre and an overview
of Schumann’s Piano Quintet in Eb, Op. 44. Discussion of the transcription begins in
Chapter 3, which includes the challenges faced and the solutions offered for transcribing
this piece as well as the overall procedure used to rewrite the string parts for clarinet
quartet. The actual transcription is found in Chapter 5, and the Conclusion is located in
Chapter 4. The goals of this transcription are fourfold: to create a transcription that will
stand on its own both as a performance piece for recitals or chamber music concerts and
as a learning tool for advanced students; provide music to the often ignored genre of
clarinet quartet and piano; supply additional literature to clarinet quartets; and establish
what may be considered as a viable option or alternative to the piano quintet’s standard
instrumentation of string quartet and piano.
Department
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