Kirchner's Piano Music
After publishing Opus 1, a gap of around nine years follows. This can have done little to advance his cause as a composer. However, Schumann was greatly impressed by the piano pieces now presented and thought they showed great promise.
Op.2 10 Klavierstücke – Band 1 (1852)
1. Schumann’s influence is immediately apparent. The piece has a powerful beginning and ending, although the mid-section (ruhiger) involves quite thick counterpoint and is perhaps rather turgid (I’m not sure I understand the instruction ‘sehr gebunden’ here).
2. Einfach (simple). This has a through-composed melody that is very pleasing with a good climax before a lovely ending (Bb > F). The accompaniment is actually quite elaborate.
3. I like this one too. It has a piquant flavour due to the L.H. overlapping, F over E, C over B, Bb over A etc. The mid-section is strident (sehr kräftig) but not overlong and the return is recomposed using both syncopation and the strong rhythm picked up from the mid-section. The piece closes with an ascent into repose.
4. Mit humor. This somewhat whimsical style recurs throughout Kirchner's works. Potentially interesting but needs great commitment.
5. Zart (tenderly) sehr gebunden. This is a beautiful piece with a floating offbeat melody that is full of pathos. One of my favourites, it would make a perfect background for a sad thoughtful TV drama – producers please note!
Op.2 10 Klavierstücke – Band 2
6. Nicht schell, mit innigem Ausdruck. This has a wistful melody over a syncopated accompaniment. The mid-section proceeds in sombre snatches of dissonance that rise repeatedly in volume only to fall back. The opening part is then repeated but overall a worthwhile piece.
7. Lebhaft (lively). A little scherzo in 6/8 with interesting key changes. After a repeat, new material leads to a varied reprise. Quite fun due to its shortness.
8. Ziemlich langsam. This piece is also short but I find it rather repetitive and dull.
9. Mit leidenschaftlichem Vortrag. This Eb minor piece is the most powerful in the set – a veritable wild ride through the night. Even the Eb major section maintains the tension with a yearning melody that maintains the upward leaps of the opening. The ending is rounded off with a fine coda.
10.Langsam, und Ausdruck. This is strongly reminiscent of the ending of Schumann’s Humoreske. Anyway, if you like one, you may like the other.
On the whole, I recommend No.4 for beauty and No.9 for the beast.
Clara Schumann’s choice was No.2 and No.9.