| Piano Quartet | |
|---|---|
| by Robert Schumann | |
&sq=Google&lang=en&file=File:TN-RSchumann_Piano_Quartet,_Op.47_fe.jpg) Title page of the first edition (1845), autographed by the composer | |
| Key | E♭ major |
| Opus | 47 |
| Composed | 1842 |
| Dedication | Mathieu Wielhorsky |
| Published | 1845 |
| Duration | c. 27 minutes |
| Movements | four |
| Scoring |
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| Premiere | |
| Date | 8 December 1844 |
| Location | Leipzig |
| Performers |
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The Piano Quartet in E♭ major, Op. 47, was composed by Robert Schumann in 1842 for piano, violin, viola and cello. Written during a productive period in which he produced several large-scale chamber music works, it has been described as the "creative double" of his Piano Quintet, finished weeks earlier. Though dedicated to the Russian cellist Mathieu Wielhorsky, it was written with Schumann's wife Clara in mind, who would be the pianist at the premiere on 8 December 1844 in Leipzig.
The work consists of four movements. The first movement is in sonata form and begins with a hymn-like introduction that leads to a more figural section. The second movement, a scherzo, features a quick staccato figure that moves around a G minor scale, with two contrasting trio sections. The third movement (Andante cantabile) has been called the highlight of the work, with one of the most beautiful cello themes of the Romantic period. The finale includes contrapunctal writing and makes many references to the preceding movements.
At the premiere, the Piano Quartet was well received. Today, it is recognized as the culmination of virtually all previous exploration of the piano quartet as a genre up to that time, forming the foundations for later composers to build on.