PlayPiano
The short answer
Der Dichter spricht (The Poet Speaks), Kinderszenen Op. 15 No. 13 is a character piece by Robert Schumann from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 6, an estimate.
- character piece
- Romantic
- Key of G major
- gentle
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. The Poet Speaks closes the collection. Imagine an adult stepping back to reflect after the preceding childhood scenes.
Sources
What to listen for
Held chords change from within
Hear the slowly changing upper chord tones above lower pairs. Their longer sounds lead into a dotted held chord and a shorter response, without a running accompaniment.
How to practise it
Let the opening chords move as a line, then preserve the independent upper voices.
- Coordinate the opening chord pairs.
- Hear their upper line through the chord changes.
- Preserve inner durations when the texture becomes more layered.
How hard is it
Slow chordal writing exposes balance and releases; the opening later introduces a moving inner figure against sustained voices. Sparse attacks do not make sustained voicing and timing beginner tasks.
About this piece
- Collection
- Small scenes, big imagination
- Licence
- CC0
- Source
- musescore.com
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
