Schumann: Piano Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22

Introduction

The Piano Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22 was composed by Robert Schumann from 1831 to 1838.

It was his last full-length attempt at the sonata genre, the other completed ones being the Piano Sonata No. 1 in F♯ minor (Op. 11) and the Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor (Op. 14); he later wrote Three Piano Sonatas for the Young Op. 118. Because it was published before the F minor sonata, it was given an earlier sequence number (No. 2) but still kept its later opus number (Op. 22). This has caused confusion, and recordings of the G minor Sonata have sometimes been published as "Sonata No. 3". There was also an earlier sonata in F minor, which Schumann abandoned; this is sometimes referred to as "Sonata No. 4".

Among his sonatas, this one is very frequently performed and recorded. Because of its great variety and highly virtuosic demands, it is enjoyed both by audiences and performers alike. Schumann himself claimed to be "endlessly looking forward to the second sonata", nevertheless he revised it several times. At Clara Schumann's request, the original finale, marked Presto passionato was replaced with a less difficult movement.

Movements

1. So rasch wie möglich ("As quickly as possible" — however, near the end, Schumann writes "Schneller" and then "Noch schneller", meaning "Faster" and "Still faster")
2. Andantino. Getragen
3. Scherzo. Sehr rasch und markiert
4. Rondo. Presto