Fantasy Pieces

This book presents a theory of metrical conflict and applies it to the music of Robert Schumann, thereby placing that composer's distinctive metrical style in focus. Krebs describes various categories of metrical conflict that characterize the music of Schumann, investigates how states of conflict arise and are manipulated and resolved in the course of compositions, and studies the interaction of metrical conflict with form, pitch structure, and text. The theoretical material is fancifully interwoven with commentary by Florestan and Eusebius, fictional characters based on Schumann's names for contrasting aspects of his own personality, who provide numerous illustrations from "their" compositions. Rich in allusions to Schumann's titles, his writings, and his life, Fantasy Pieces will appeal to all who are fond of this composer's music as well as to theorists.

Harald Krebs holds a Ph.D. in music theory from Yale University. He has taught at the University of British Columbia and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and is currently professor of music theory at the School of Music of the University of Victoria.