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Romantic · etude

Étude after Paganini, Op. 10 No. 5 (B minor)

Robert Schumann · Level 9, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

A violin caprice finds a piano voice. Étude after Paganini, Op. 10 No. 5 (B minor) is an etude by Robert Schumann from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 9, an estimate.

On this page
  • etude
  • Romantic
  • stormy

Also known as Concert Étude after Paganini's 2nd Caprice - R. Schumann Op. 10 No. 5.

History

Schumann's piano study, Op. 10 No. 5, draws on Paganini's violin Caprice No. 2. Schumann's catalogue dates the Op. 10 set's origins to 1833, but he continued working on it afterwards; it appeared in September 1835. These studies rework the violin models more freely for concert performance than his earlier Op. 3 studies.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. A running line circles a central pitch

    Upper sixteenths repeatedly return to a central pitch above separated lower replies. Hear the recurring centre while following the movement around it.

  2. The supporting lines become more active

    After a held interruption, upper motion grows more layered and the lower lines become more active. Listen for the expanding texture rather than only the fastest line.

  3. The opening returns with changed support

    The opening figure returns in writing, then changes its layered accompaniment. Recognise the upper contour before noticing the new sounds around it.

  4. Wide exchanges settle into a held close

    Lower-register motion and wide octave exchanges lead to the final held B sonority. Hear the larger direction through the register changes before letting the arrival settle.

How to practise it

Keep the returning high note light above independently timed lower voices.

  1. Practise one four-note unit at an even quiet volume.
  2. Practise each lower layer separately, then combine them before adding the upper pattern.
  3. Connect the examined gestures slowly while keeping the stated layers distinct.

How hard is it

Level 9, estimated

Virtuoso study writing transferred from violin-inspired material requires agile coordination, endurance and balanced passagework.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Robert Schumann, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Collection
The study studio
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 returning high note light above independently timed lower voices.

Practise it in PlayPiano