composed 1832-1845
Impromptu (1832)
Leides Ahnung (1835)
Scherzino (1832)
Walzer (1835)
Phantasietanz (1836)
Wiegenliedchen (1843)
Ländler (1836)
Leid ohne Ende (1837)
Impromtu (1838)
Walzer (1838)
Romanze (1835)
Burla (1832)
Larghetto (1832)
Vision (1838)
Walzer (1832)
Schlummerlied (1841)
Elfe (1835)
Botschaft (1838)
Phantasiestück (1839)
Canon (1845)
The
Albumblätter, op. 124, were described by Schumann as “chaff” from
his compositional workshop. The work presents a series of twenty short
pieces, some of which stem from much earlier sketches. In No. 2 “Leides
Ahnung” (“Premonition of Suffering”) we see the descending fourth from
the Sonata in G minor (this piece was originally the fifth number of the
second version of the Beethoven Etudes). The “Larghetto,” No. 13, composed
1832, was later used as the theme of the variation movement in the String
Quartet No. 2. In a diary entry for 1838, Schumann wrote of “Vision,” No.
14: “Yesterday was a thoroughly productive working day—wrote to Clara
somewhat angrily because of the deadline—then such a spate of poetic fire
came over me (poem for Clara) that I could not stop. In the evening thoughts
of a Fata Morgana (Vision) for Clara; I did not see another person the
whole day long.” Much later in 1841, after he was married to Clara,
came the “Schlummerlied” (“Lullaby”). Clara wrote, “He presented me
and Mariechen (their first daughter) with a charming lullaby, which he
composed on the afternoon of Christmas Day.”
Translation: William Melton
© Franz Vorraber
© Franz Vorraber