PlayPiano
The short answer
An opening that nearly belonged to another book. Kinderscenen - Von fremden Ländern und Menschen is a character piece by Robert Schumann from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 5, an estimate.
- character piece
- Romantic
- dreamy
- gentle
- voicing
Also known as Schumann, Kinderszenen Op. 15 No. 1, Von fremden Landern und Menschen.
History
Kinderszenen was once intended as an appendix to Schumann's Novelettes. It became a separate volume instead, with Of Foreign Lands and Peoples as its opening scene. The cycle was written in February and March 1838 and published in 1839.
Sources
What to listen for
A leap, then a gentle descent
The melody rises from B to G, then descends through F-sharp, E and D. Listen for a continuous phrase above the moving triplet accompaniment.
Hear the idea a second time
The same two-bar melody returns. Compare the shape of this repetition with the opening rather than making every note equally emphatic.
The melody gains another voice
The upper line now moves in paired notes. Listen for its changing colour while the bass contributes a more connected phrase underneath.
How to practise it
Balance the slower melody against triplet support and short bass notes.
- Practise the upper contour alone before adding its other voices.
- Practise the triplet layer and short bass separately before combining.
- Connect the stated opening gestures at a comfortable tempo, keeping their distinct releases.
How hard is it
The proposed intermediate target emphasizes a clear singing line above supporting movement and a connected complete phrase. The childhood subject is not proof of a beginner lesson.
About this piece
- Collection
- Small scenes, big imagination
- Licence
- Public Domain
- Source
- mutopiaproject.org
More by Robert Schumann
- Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 1, MélodieLevel 2, estimatedOpen to everyone
- Träumerei, Kinderszenen Op. 15 No. 7Level 6, estimatedWith Maestro
- Toccata in C major, Op. 7Level 10, estimatedWith Maestro
