Kreisleriana, Op.16

in D minor · Op. 16

Robert Schumann 1810–1856

D minor

Key

Op. 16

Catalogue

Score

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Themes & character

After E.T.A. Hoffmann·Written in four days·Dedicated to Chopin·Florestan and Eusebius

At a glance

Catalogue: Op. 16
Key: D minor

About the piece

Composed in 1838 in a burst of four days, Kreisleriana takes its title from Johannes Kreisler, the volatile fictional Kapellmeister invented by E.T.A. Hoffmann, a figure torn between ecstatic inspiration and despair. The eight pieces swing violently between those poles, embodying the two imaginary characters Schumann used to describe his own divided nature, the impetuous Florestan and the dreaming Eusebius. He dedicated it to Chopin and wrote to Clara Wieck that the music was all about her, calling it "a whole world of love."

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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