Robert Schumann

Life and music

Robert Schumann was born in Zwickau in 1810. While studying law in Leipzig, he took piano lessons with Friedrich Wieck. His early piano cycles explored connections between literature and music. He also edited a music journal, married Clara Wieck in 1840 and later became a friend of Johannes Brahms. Scenes from Childhood looks back at childhood rather than simply providing lessons for children.

Explore a short melody from Album for the Young, the dreamlike Träumerei and the Toccata as a demanding long-term destination. Listen for how a melody keeps its shape while the notes around it change. A childhood title does not mean a piece is easy.

Sources

• henle.de
• schumann-portal.de
• guides.loc.gov

Where to start

1. 1Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 1, MélodieLevel 2, estimatedOpen to everyone
2. 2Träumerei, Kinderszenen Op. 15 No. 7Level 6, estimatedWith Maestro
3. 3Toccata in C major, Op. 7Level 10, estimatedWith Maestro

More pieces in the Music Room

The study studio

• Concert Étude after Paganini’s Caprice No. 12, Op. 10 No. 1Level 9, estimatedWith Maestro
• Concert Étude, Op. 10 No. 3 (after Paganini Caprice No. 10)Level 9, estimatedWith Maestro
• Étude, Op. 3 No. 3 (after Paganini Caprice No. 11)Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro
• Étude after Paganini’s Caprice No. 19, Op. 3 No. 5Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro
• Étude after Paganini, Op. 10 No. 5 (B minor)Level 9, estimatedWith Maestro

Small scenes, big imagination

• Kinderscenen - Von fremden Ländern und MenschenLevel 5, estimatedWith Maestro
• Fast zu ernst (Almost Too Serious), Kinderszenen Op. 15 No. 10Level 6, estimatedWith Maestro
• Fürchtenmachen (Frightening), Kinderszenen Op. 15 No. 11Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro
• Kind im Einschlummern (Child Falling Asleep), Kinderszenen Op. 15 No. 12Level 6, estimatedWith Maestro
• Der Dichter spricht (The Poet Speaks), Kinderszenen Op. 15 No. 13Level 6, estimatedWith Maestro
• Kuriose Geschichte, Kinderszenen Op. 15 No. 2Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
• Hasche-Mann, Kinderszenen Op. 15 No. 3Level 6, estimatedWith Maestro
• Bittendes Kind, Kinderszenen Op. 15 No. 4Level 4, estimatedWith Maestro
• Kinderscenen - Glückes genugLevel 5, estimatedWith Maestro
• Wichtige Begebenheit, Kinderszenen Op. 15 No. 6Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
• Am Kamin (By the Fireside), Kinderszenen Op. 15 No. 8Level 6, estimatedWith Maestro
• Ritter vom Steckenpferd (Knight of the Hobbyhorse), Kinderszenen Op. 15 No. 9Level 6, estimatedWith Maestro
• Fröhlicher Landmann, von der Arbeit zurückkehrend, Op. 68 No. 10Level 4, estimatedWith Maestro
• Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 11, SicilienneLevel 4, estimatedWith Maestro
• Knecht Ruprecht, Op. 68 No. 12Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
• Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 13, Mai, cher Mai, ...Level 4, estimatedWith Maestro
• Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 14, Petite EtudeLevel 4, estimatedWith Maestro
• Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 16, Premier chagrinLevel 4, estimatedWith Maestro
• Schnitterliedchen, Op. 68 No. 18Level 4, estimatedWith Maestro
• Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 2, Marche militaireLevel 3, estimatedWith Maestro
• Nachklänge aus dem Theater, Op. 68 No. 25Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
• Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 26, UntitledLevel 5, estimatedWith Maestro
• Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 3, Chanson fredonnéeLevel 2, estimatedWith Maestro
• Sheherazade, Op. 68 No. 32Level 6, estimatedWith Maestro
• Lied italienischer Marinari, Op. 68 No. 36Level 6, estimatedWith Maestro
• Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 4, Un choralLevel 3, estimatedWith Maestro
• Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 5, Petite pièceLevel 3, estimatedWith Maestro
• Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 6, Pauvre orphelineLevel 3, estimatedWith Maestro
• Jägerliedchen, Op. 68 No. 7Level 3, estimatedWith Maestro
• Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 8, Le cavalier sauvageLevel 4, estimatedWith Maestro
• Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 9, Chanson populaireLevel 3, estimatedWith Maestro
• Chopin, from Carnaval, Op. 9 No. 12Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro

More pieces

• Concert Étude after Paganini Caprice6Level 9, estimatedWith Maestro
• Paganini Concert Study, Op. 10 No. 4Level 9, estimatedWith Maestro
• Schlummerlied, Op. 124 No. 16Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
• Romance in F-sharp major, Op. 28 No. 2Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro
• Paganini Study, Op. 3 No. 1Level 9, estimatedWith Maestro
• Paganini Study, Op. 3 No. 2Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro
• Étude after Paganini Caprice13Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro
• Song of SpringLevel 5, estimatedWith Maestro
• Little Morning-WandererLevel 5, estimatedWith Maestro
• A Little RomanceLevel 5, estimatedWith Maestro
• MignonLevel 6, estimatedWith Maestro