Character Piece
Romantic works
Definition
A short instrumental work, typically for piano, expressing a single mood, idea, or programmatic concept. The term encompasses a wide variety of named forms including nocturnes, impromptus, intermezzos, arabesques, and pieces with purely descriptive titles.
Historical Context
The character piece emerged as the dominant form of domestic piano music in the 19th century. Schubert and Weber established the tradition, which flourished in the hands of Schumann, Mendelssohn, and Chopin. In the Romantic and Impressionist eras composers increasingly replaced formal titles with evocative imagery, producing the richly titled miniatures of Schumann's Kinderszenen, Debussy's Preludes, and Brahms's late Intermezzos.
Works (30)
- Partita No. 4 in D major, BWV 828: Aria Key D major
- French Overture in B minor, BWV 831: Echo Key B minor
- Spanish Serenade
- Polka in F♯ minor Key F♯ minor
- On the Volga
- The Lark (after Glinka)
- Dumka in E♭ minor Key E♭ minor
- Berceuse in D♭ major Key D♭ major
- Gondellied in A minor Key A minor
- Tarantella in B major Key B major
- Humoresque in D major Key D major
- Phantasiestück in D♭ major Key D♭ major
- Rêverie in F major Key F major
- La fileuse in D♭ major Key D♭ major
- Novelette in A major Key A major
- Impromptu on Chopin's Preludes
- Love Song (Op. 1, No. 1 – piano transcription)
- After School (Four Hand Piano Piece, arr. solo)
- Excursions, Op. 20 – No. 1 (Un poco allegro) Key A major
- Excursions, Op. 20 – No. 2 (In slow blues tempo) Key B♭ major
- Excursions, Op. 20 – No. 3 (Allegretto) Key E minor
- Excursions, Op. 20 – No. 4 (Allegro molto) Key D major
- Hesitation-Tango (from Souvenirs)
- Souvenirs, Op. 28 (piano solo version)
- Interlude from Vanessa (arr. Barber), Op. 25 Key None
- Andante favori in F major, WoO 57 Key F major
- Die Nachtigall (The Nightingale) (Seven Early Songs)
- Im Zimmer (In the Room) (Seven Early Songs)
- Liebesode (Love Ode) (Seven Early Songs)
- Nacht (Night) (Seven Early Songs)