Robert Schumann
Pieces for four hands

About Robert Schumann's Pieces for four hands

Schumann’s contributions to the four-hand repertory consist of several collections of short pieces. Except for 8 Polonaises written at the age of 17, before any of his published pieces, they were composed late in Schumann's career. None of these sets reach the level of mastery found in Schumann's greatest solo piano music, yet they all have typical Schumannesque qualities – warmth, vitality, catchy melodies, and exciting harmonies.

Pictures from the East, Op. 66, were written in 1848. They were inspired by the Arabian tales of the German poet, Friedrich Rückert, in turn based on an eleventh-century Arabic chronicle, Magamat, by Al-Hairi, relating the adventures of Abu Zayd, the Arabian counterpart of Till Eulenspiegel. However, no particular Eastern influences can be found in Schumann's music.

Twelve Pieces for Small and Big Childen, Op. 85, were composed a year later. Schumann was encouraged by the immediate popularity and success of the Album for the Young, Op. 68, to write a similar set for four hands. Written in 1851 and 1853 respectively, Ball Scenes, Op. 109, and Children’s Ball, Op. 130, are collections of dances. In Op. 109 these are framed by an opening ceremonial Preamble and concluding Promenade (titles also found earlier in Carnaval, Op. 9). The choice of Dances illustrates Schumann's interest in the foreign and exotic: Op. 109 includes a Polonaise, a Mazurka, an Ecossaise two Waltzes, an Hungarian Dance, and a Frangaise (a dance in 6/8 meter from southeastern France).

ID:312
Preview TitleKey Year Level
12 Pieces for Small and Big Children - Geburtstagsmarsch Op. 85 No. 1 in C Major by Schumann piano sheet music AAB 12 Pieces for Small and Big Children - Geburtstagsmarsch Op. 85 No. 11 C Major 1849 4
12 Pieces for Small and Big Children - Bärentanz Op. 85 No. 2 in A Minor by Schumann piano sheet music AAC 12 Pieces for Small and Big Children - Bärentanz Op. 85 No. 230 A Minor 1849 5
12 Pieces for Small and Big Children - Gartenmelodie Op. 85 No. 3 in A Major by Schumann piano sheet music AAD 12 Pieces for Small and Big Children - Gartenmelodie Op. 85 No. 329 A Major 1849 4
12 Pieces for Small and Big Children - Beim Kränzewinden Op. 85 No. 4 in F Major by Schumann piano sheet music AAE 12 Pieces for Small and Big Children - Beim Kränzewinden Op. 85 No. 417 F Major 1849 4
12 Pieces for Small and Big Children - Kroatenmarsch Op. 85 No. 5 in A Minor by Schumann piano sheet music AAF 12 Pieces for Small and Big Children - Kroatenmarsch Op. 85 No. 530 A Minor 1849 6
12 Pieces for Small and Big Children - Trauer Op. 85 No. 6 in F Major by Schumann piano sheet music AAG 12 Pieces for Small and Big Children - Trauer Op. 85 No. 617 F Major 1849 4
12 Pieces for Small and Big Children - Turniermarsch Op. 85 No. 7 in C Major by Schumann piano sheet music AAH 12 Pieces for Small and Big Children - Turniermarsch Op. 85 No. 71 C Major 1849 5
12 Pieces for Small and Big Children - Reigen Op. 85 No. 8 in G Major by Schumann piano sheet music AAI 12 Pieces for Small and Big Children - Reigen Op. 85 No. 823 G Major 1849 5
12 Pieces for Small and Big Children - Am Springbrunnen Op. 85 No. 9 in D Major by Schumann piano sheet music AAJ 12 Pieces for Small and Big Children - Am Springbrunnen Op. 85 No. 97 D Major 1849 6
12 Pieces for Small and Big Children - Verstecken's Op. 85 No. 10 in F Major by Schumann piano sheet music AAK 12 Pieces for Small and Big Children - Verstecken's Op. 85 No. 1017 F Major 1849 6
12 Pieces for Small and Big Children - Gespenstermärchen Op. 85 No. 11 in D Minor by Schumann piano sheet music AAL 12 Pieces for Small and Big Children - Gespenstermärchen Op. 85 No. 118 D Minor 1849 5
12 Pieces for Small and Big Children - Abendlied Op. 85 No. 12 in D-flat Major by Schumann piano sheet music AAM 12 Pieces for Small and Big Children - Abendlied Op. 85 No. 126 D-flat Major 1849 4
Pictures from the East Op. 66 by Schumann piano sheet music AAN Pictures from the East Op. 66 N/A 1848 6
Ball-Scenen Op. 109 by Schumann piano sheet music AAO Ball-Scenen Op. 109 N/A 1851 7
Children's Ball Op. 130 by Schumann piano sheet music AAP Children's Ball Op. 130 N/A 1853 4