Description
Marked only with asterisks in place of a title, this piece is the twenty-sixth of Schumann's 1848 Album for the Young, Op. 68. It sits in the second part, For Older Children, a characteristically introspective miniature published deliberately without a name.
In F major and 4/4, it is freed from depicting a specific scene, so its shifting melodies and harmonies become the main focus. Lasting over two minutes with about 682 notes, it sustains a quiet tension throughout. Its range stays within three octaves, from F2 to F5, so it plays on a 61-key keyboard.
It is an intermediate piece, free music that leaves its meaning to each listener's imagination. Without a title to go by, the player has to sense the harmonic changes by ear and decide where the music is heading. Slow the playback and listen closely to the moment each chord changes, and follow the melody and inner voices in the hand colours; you will find how to play it through while keeping that quiet tension alive.
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 →