Description
The twelfth piece of Schumann's 1848 Album for the Young, Op. 68, known in Japan as Santa Claus. Its original title, Knecht Ruprecht, names a figure from German tradition who accompanies St. Nicholas at Christmas. It is placed in the first part, For Younger Children.
In A minor and 2/4, heavy chords and dotted rhythms portray a powerful, stately gait. At 107 seconds it contains 1,378 notes, a strikingly high count within the collection. Its range runs from A1 to A5, with the lowest notes falling below a 61-key keyboard, though an octave shift fits every note.
It is a substantial intermediate piece requiring control of chordal touch and stamina. Playing chord after chord at speed easily stiffens the arm, so it matters to stay relaxed and let the weight of the arm press the keys. Slow the playback, check the chord shapes in both hands with the hand colours, and practise the difficult passages in sections with the A-B loop; the stately gait will then hold to the end.
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.
View all works by Schumann →