'... allein ein Ganzes ist es nicht': Schumann's Szenen aus Goethes Faust. (June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lamport, Francis
• Is Part Of: Publications of the English Goethe Society. Volume 83:Number 2(2014)
• Page Start: 89
• Page End: 99
• Publication Date: 2014-06
• Subjects: German literature -- 18th century -- History and criticism -- Periodicals; German literature -- 19th century -- History and criticism -- Periodicals; Criticism and interpretation -- Periodicals; 830.9006
• DOI: 10.1179/0959368314Z.00000000034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-3683

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Schumann was ahead of his time in choosing to set scenes from Part II of Goethe's Faust, which was little appreciated at the time; but the theme of redemption held a particular attraction for him. Accordingly, he began by setting the final 'Bergschluchten' scene as a kind of oratorio, then worked back and added two prefatory sections in more dramatic style, based on scenes from Goethe's Parts I (Gretchen scenes) and II (Acts I and V). The Overture was composed last of all. The Scenes are discontinuous and allusive, and the musico-dramatic nature of the whole and the relative merits of the three sections are still a matter of critical disagreement.</p> </abstract>