Arabesque, op. 18
in C major · Op. 18
Robert Schumann 1810–1856
C major
Key
Leicht und zart
Tempo
Op. 18
Catalogue
Score
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Themes & character
Delicate rondo·Wistful minor episodes·Intimate scale·Understated close
At a glance
- Catalogue
- Op. 18
- Key
- C major
- Tempo / character
- Leicht und zart
About the piece
Composed in 1839, the Arabesque is one of Schumann's gentlest works, marked leicht und zart, light and tender. A graceful, flowing main theme in C major returns between two more wistful episodes in minor keys.
Schumann himself worried the piece was too slight and "feminine" for the German public of his day, a judgment history has not upheld. Its intimate scale and quietly fading close have made it a favorite recital piece ever since.
The composer
Robert Schumann
1810–1856
Robert Schumann was a German composer, pianist, and music critic of the early Romantic era. He composed in all the main musical genres of the time, writing for solo piano, voice and piano, chamber groups, orchestra, choir and the opera. His works typify the spirit of the Romantic era in German music.
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