Description
Its full title means roughly May, dear May, soon you will be here again: May, Dear May carries the feeling of waiting for spring. It is the thirteenth piece of Schumann's 1848 Album for the Young, Op. 68, in the first part, For Younger Children.
In E major and 2/4, its bright, approachable melody suits the joy of spring's arrival. At 127 seconds with 784 notes, there is steady movement beneath its calm mood. Its range runs from C-sharp 3 to C-sharp 6, playable on a 61-key keyboard.
It requires intermediate-level skill, and with four sharps in the key signature, the first task is getting used to hand positions that include the black keys. Beyond that, singing the melody softly while touching in the accompaniment lightly brings out its hopeful mood. Slow the playback, check melody and accompaniment in the hand colours, and practise rounding off the end of each phrase with care; the result will be a memorable performance.
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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