Abendlied, Op. 85 No. 12 (Evening Song)

Robert Schumann (8 June 1810 – 29 July 1856) was widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. Schumann left the study of law, intending to pursue a career as a virtuoso pianist. He had been assured by his teacher Friedrich Wieck that he could become the finest pianist in Europe, but a hand injury ended this dream. Schumann then focused his musical energies on composing. In 1840, Schumann married Friedrich Wieck's daughter Clara, against the wishes of her father, following a long and acrimonious legal battle, which found in favor of Clara and Robert. Schumann suffered from a lifelong mental disorder, first manifesting itself in 1833 as a severe melancholic depressive episode. After a suicide attempt in 1854, Schumann was admitted to a mental asylum, at his own request, in Endenich near Bonn. Diagnosed with "psychotic melancholia", Schumann died two years later in 1856 without having recovered from his mental illness.

"Abendlied" is taken from his from his "12 Klavierstücke für kleine und große Kinder", Op. 85 (for four hands), published in 1849.

In this performance, we hear again the skills of the great English titan, William Thomas Best (1826-1897). The piano texture is transformed into a profound "orchestral" miniature, featuring mostly the Solo organ's Clarinet and Harmonic Flute. Since the piano would "lack" the 16' range, most of the pedal part is played at 8' pitch. Where Best does want the lower pitch, a 16' stop must be added and then retired after the note is played. Speaking of the "pedal part," I found that all the pedal stops are a bit too "rough" for this, so the "pedal stops" you are hearing are the 8' Stopped Diapason of the Great, with the occasional addition of the 16' Bourdon, also from the Great.

This upload has been "normalized," so, it will not seem "too soft" for listening.

No doubt this transcription was played by Best at his recitals in St. George's Hall, Liverpool.

The score is attached below.