Introduction
Character piece is a literal translation of the German Charakterstück, a term, not very precisely defined, used for a broad range of 19th century short and independent lyrical piano pieces, outlining some definite mood, human character, or literary conception. The term is less frequently applied to music for another instrument (example violin; never voice) with piano accompaniment, but very seldom for larger ensembles.
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Character piece (Charakterstück) |
Historical background
In the 16th and 17th century music for lute and harpsichord, character pieces are common.
Examples:
- Giles Farnaby's 'Dream', 'His humour', 'Tell Me Daphne'
- Couperin's Les Abeilles (The Bees) and Le Reveille-matin (The Clock)
- Froberger's 'Tombeau fait à Paris sur la mort de Monsieur Blancrocher' or the 'Meditation sur ma Mort Future'
In the 18th century C.P.E Bach continued this tradition, writing a series of character pieces, the so-called 'Berlin Portraits' including 'La Caroline'. Of course, in Bach's 'Empfindsame Stil', the 'Affekt' plays an important role and Rousseau's theory of musical imitation: music should imitate the composer's feelings in order to touch the audience.
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