Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 8, Le cavalier sauvage

History

Schumann briefly changed “Wilder Reiter” to “Schaukelpferdreiter” (“rocking-horse rider”) in the engraver’s copy, then asked the publisher on 24 October 1848 to restore the original title.

Sources

• henle.de

What to listen for

1. 1

   Running notes sit above clipped replies

   The short pickup launches detached upper figures above clipped chords. Hear the moving contour as a phrase while the smaller chordal replies punctuate it.

2. 2

   The moving contour shifts below

   The lower line takes a related running shape while clipped chords move above it. Follow the change in musical roles rather than treating one register as permanent accompaniment.

3. 3

   The upper figure comes back in writing

   The upper opening contour returns over its earlier support. Hear its familiar energy carry the final phrase to the close; this written return is not an extra repeat instruction.

How to practise it

Keep the brisk detached shape clear, with lighter supporting chords.

1. Practise the first six detached notes, then add the following joined pair.
2. Practise the first lower punctuations softly, preserving every rest.

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 - 8.Le cavalier sauvage” by R. Schumann (1810 to 1856). Mutopia edition maintained by Philippe Hézaine. Source: https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=655. 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. 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