Description
Springing chords over a fast 6/8 draw the hoofbeats of a galloping horse. This is No. 8 of the Album for the Young, Op. 68, "The Wild Horseman" — one of the most often played pieces in the collection, and known under several titles in translation.
Short clipped chords in A minor run without pause, packing over four hundred notes into under forty seconds. At around eleven notes a second the density is far beyond any other beginner-level piece in the set. The middle turns to the major and brightens for a moment before the gallop resumes.
Fast staccato has to last to the end. Struck from the fingertips, the hand tires within a few bars and the sound hardens. Keep the wrist loose and play the chords from close to the keys rather than dropping onto them. Feeling the 6/8 in two beats gives the gallop its momentum. It is short enough that repeated run-throughs are the effective practice.
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
What this piece teaches
"The Wild Rider." A short gallop in A minor and 6/8, and an early-grade exam favourite, drawn in sharp staccato and accents.
How to practise it
- The tune moves between the hands; the colours show which one has it.
- Placing the accents exactly matters more than speed.
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 →