Description
One of Schumann's earliest published works, this set of twelve short pieces was inspired by a masked-ball scene in Jean Paul's novel "Flegeljahre." True to its title, "Butterflies," the music flits between light, dance-like moods, before closing quietly with a passage imitating church bells at dawn. It is full of the wit and playfulness typical of the young Schumann. Composed in 1831, it runs about sixteen minutes with over 9,700 notes, and its twelve rapidly shifting characters call for the quick reflexes expected at an advanced level.
A broad collection of standalone piano pieces not belonging to any specific set, offering hundreds of varied character pieces to explore and compare.
About the Composer
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Robert Schumann was a leading German Romantic composer born in Zwickau. His poetic style reflects his deep literary sensibility, and his wife Clara Schumann was herself a renowned pianist and composer. His pedagogical piano collection Album for the Young remains beloved for its simple yet evocative miniatures for children and families. This site includes 63 of his works, including several pieces from that collection.
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