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Chapter 31
Clara Wieck Schumann
Chapter at a Glance
Listen to This First
A Cappella Timbre
Contrasting Melodies
Connect Your Playlist: A Cappella Timbre
Painting Revolutionary Words
Listening Guide: Vorwarts
Profile: Clara Wieck Schumann (1819-1896)
Chapter Objectives
After reading this chapter and listening to the work, students should be able to:
31.1 Outline issues of German unification in the nineteenth century.
31.2 Define a cappella.
31.4 Describe the ways in which the music amplifies the meaning of the text.
31.6 Discuss the personal and political reasons for C
Key Concepts
political music, word-painting, timbre of the a cappella chorus
Chapter Highlight: Political Music
The public uprisings that began with the French Revolution of 1789 opened up new ways
of connecting music and politics. Every mass political movement since then has had its
songs. This song for a cappella chorus captures the progressive spirit of its time and
place.
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Chapter Summary
Clara Wieck Schumann was a talented pianist and composer. She married the
more independent throughout her life. Vorwarts
gift to Robert, in 1848, and Clara engaged members of the Dresden Choral Society to
sing the a cappella song in their home on that occasion. The political implications for
Listening Guide
The five strophes of Vorwarts
A strain is more forceful, while B is softer and gentler as befits the texts. These two ideas
alternate as listed in the Form column. The Word-Music Relationship column highlights
text painting for each strophe.
MyMusicLab Resources
Automated Listening Guide: Clara Wieck Schumann: Vorwarts
Chapter Audio: Chapter 31
Discussion Topics and Critical Thinking Questions
1. There are several extramusical issues surrounding Vorwarts
Clara Schumann write a political song as a birthday present for her husband? What
2. What kind of contrast in melodic lines did Clara use to add expressive qualities to the
five strophes of this song?
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Activities and Exercises
1. Have students research how was the country that we now call Germany was divided in
2. Explore the meaning of the term a cappella
ers.
Journaling Prompt
Since you moved (chronologically) away from the Baroque period, you have not
encountered many choral works. Why do you think this is?