Der Wanderer
The middle section is of an improvisatory, fantasia-like character, with extremely harsh modulations and sonorities, culminating in C minor with "fortissimo" chords. The chromaticism, triplet emphasis, and modulatory patterns of this section are all reminiscent of the developments nested within the Allegro's exposition. After the C minor climax (according to Fisk, a key of great importance in the cycle due to its relation to "Der Wanderer"), a recitative section with startling "sforzando" outbursts emphasizing an ascending minor second leads to a serene phrase in the major mode (C major), which in turn leads (as the dominant of F minor) back to the A section, here somewhat transformed, with new accompanimental figuration. The final bars of the movement feature rolled chords that prefigure the opening of the following Scherzo.