Carnaval "Sphinxes"

[sary2106]

Hi! It seems that Schumann's "Carnaval" has been discussed.... but I have a specific question. I am performing this piece in several competitions this fall, and I don't know whether to play the "Sphinxes" or not. Gieseking plays them, my teacher's teacher doesn't, supposedly Rachmaninoff does.... so what do you guys think? I would appreciate any input. Thanks!

[Diabolos]

Hi.

Actually, I would play them. Ok, there've been some discussions about whether they should be played or not, but since the 'Sphinxes' are known as very interesting to listen to, you should dare it    

I had a similar problem with the 'Goyescas'; there's a piece that doesn't directly belong to this opus (I can't recall the name right now), but I decided to play it, as some other pianists did, and the critics were positive.

So don't worry about that - if you wouldn't play the Sphinxes, the audience would loose a nice expercience.

Wish you the best

[rachfan]

Hi,

Rudolph Ganz used to play the three Sphinxes by sounding the first one fortissimo in the uppermost bass octave, taking a long rest, doing the second in the next lower octave at mezzo-forte, taking another long rest, then playing the last Sphinx in the still lower octave pianissimo.  Years ago, it was believed that the ancient notation was not supposed to be played at all and was a silent enigma.  But over the years that attitude has changed and more pianists are using their imaginations to play these Sphinxes.  I'd be curious to know if Schumann himself or Clara played them in some fashion.

[stokes]

According to Clara Schumann they should not be played...

[rachfan]

Interesting, which must mean that Schumann placed them there simply as an enigmatic prank to give the performer something to ponder.

[ned]

Remember that the subtitle of Carnaval is "Scenes mignonnes sur quatre notes" or little scenes on four notes. If you haven't figured out what the four notes are by the time you get to Sphinxes, the riddle is solved for you.  Namely SCHA and ASCH, the letters for Schumann's name and the town where Ernestine von Fricken lived. The notation is in breves, the old double whole note. In German E flat is Es and A flat is As and B natural is H. "Lettres dansantes" lays it out again.
A sphinx does not usually speak, so why make something up?
Ned

[rachfan]

Thanks for the explanation, ned.  A bad day for me is one where I don't learn something new.  I had never come across the meaning of the Sphinxes before in my reading, so this is a good day.  Thanks again!