Description
Sicilienne, the eleventh piece of Schumann's 1848 Album for the Young, Op. 68, takes its name from a dance traditionally associated with Sicily and known for its gently rocking dotted rhythm. Within the first part, For Younger Children, this is one of the fuller pieces.
Written in the 6/8 typical of the dance, it carries a melancholic melody over a gently swaying pulse. At 124 seconds with 795 notes, it has more material than many of the surrounding pieces. Its range runs from B2 to G5, within a 61-key keyboard.
It calls for intermediate-level skill: a sense for shaping each phrase and the concentration to keep the lilt steady. Feeling 6/8 in two large beats and not letting the dotted rhythm grow heavy is what gives it the soft sway of a dance. Repeat the spots where the tempo tends to slip with the A-B loop, let the beat settle in at a slightly slower playback speed, and then return to the original pace.
A collection of 43 piano pieces Schumann gave to his daughter Marie for her seventh birthday — musically rich works enjoyable for children and adults alike.
Browse all songs in Album for the Young Op.68 →Sheet Music
Sheet music provided by Mutopia Project
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 pieces from that collection and from Kinderszenen, Op. 15.
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