Carnaval “Little Scenes on Four Notes”, Op. 9 by Robert Schumann is a large-scale programmatic masterwork originally written for solo piano in 1834-35. It is written in 21 short movements, each representing a different masked attendee at the Carnival festival.

Each movement is a caricature of real-life characters in musical form - the faces of Schumann himself, along with his friends and colleagues. The original piano work is a virtuoso kaleidoscope of character pieces, and ensemble132’s rendition amplifies these qualities through its use of collaborative chamber writing. 

Complete Program:

Clara Schumann Three Romances, Op. 22
Robert Schumann/Sahun Hong "Carnaval," Op. 9 for piano quartet
Johannes Brahms Piano Quartet in C Minor, Op. 60

 

Violinist Inmo Yang, cellist Zach Mowitz, pianist and arranger Sam Hong, and guest violist Yuchen Lu perform Schumann Carnaval at New England Conservatory’s Williams Hall.