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Romantic · character piece

Fürchtenmachen (Frightening), Kinderszenen Op. 15 No. 11

Robert Schumann · Level 7, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

Fürchtenmachen (Frightening), Kinderszenen Op. 15 No. 11 is a character piece by Robert Schumann from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 7, an estimate.

On this page
  • character piece
  • Romantic
  • Key of E minor
  • playful

Also known as Scenes from Childhood.

History

Schumann’s Kinderszenen reflects an adult looking back at childhood rather than being simply a beginner’s lesson book. Frightening suggests a game of changing moods. Treat the title as an imaginative cue, not a documented event from the composer’s life.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. A quiet phrase begins the dialogue

    The opening phrase is quiet and reaches a repeat. Hear its compact shape before the quicker chordal contrast.

  2. Schneller changes the texture

    The faster marked span uses quicker chordal figures. Compare their movement with the opening instead of treating the title as a documented event.

  3. A short recall leads back to quicker figures

    The opening returns briefly before the faster texture reappears. Hear their contrast within the continuing movement.

  4. The opening returns more fully to close

    Opening material comes back in a fuller span and leads to the final close. Recognise its shape through the changed continuation.

How to practise it

Keep the repeated note character clear as the texture changes.

  1. Practise the repeated-note rhythm, then connect it to the changing eighths.
  2. Practise the lower two-measure rhythm alone before combining.
  3. Connect the examined phrase at a comfortable tempo while keeping its stated layers and releases distinct.

How hard is it

Level 7, estimated

The opening already combines repeated melodic notes, chordal replies, inner moving lines and cross-staff placement. Tracking voices independently and controlling changing note lengths are substantial coordination demands.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Robert Schumann, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Collection
Small scenes, big imagination
Licence
CC0
Source
musescore.com

More by Robert Schumann

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

With Maestro

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Keep the repeated note character clear as the texture changes.

Practise it in PlayPiano