Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 1, Mélodie

History

The first Album for the Young piece did not always have the title “Melodie.” In Schumann’s engraver’s copy it was called “Desgleichen” (“likewise”), referring to an earlier opening piece that he later removed.

Sources

• henle.de

What to listen for

1. 1

   A melody above moving support

   A descending upper melody rests above moving lower eighth notes. Follow the singing line while keeping its smaller accompaniment present.

2. 2

   An expressive answer rises

   The next responses rise and become more expressive, reaching a layered passage. Hear the upward direction as an answer to the opening descent.

3. 3

   The opening changes its ending

   An opening-related phrase returns with a changed ending. Compare the familiar start before listening for the different route to its close.

4. 4

   A written recall brings the close

   The changed opening phrase returns again in the written source. Hear its familiar shape settle at the last barline; do not confuse this recall with another performed opening repeat.

How to practise it

Let the simple melody sing above the more active accompaniment.

1. Keep the upper melody connected.
2. Make the accompaniment quieter than the melody.
3. Let the phrase-ending rest breathe without losing the pulse.

How hard is it

About this piece

Collection

Small scenes, big imagination

Licence

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5

Source

mutopiaproject.org

Credit

“Album pour la jeunesse - 1.Mélodie” by R. Schumann (1810 to 1856). Mutopia edition maintained by Philippe Hézaine. Source: https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=647. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/. Changes to the supplied file: none; any later conversion or edit must be disclosed separately.

More by Robert Schumann

1. 1Träumerei, Kinderszenen Op. 15 No. 7Level 6, estimatedWith Maestro
2. 2Toccata in C major, Op. 7Level 10, estimatedWith Maestro