[Beginner-friendly] Play right away! A comprehensive introduction to Schumann’s piano works
Robert Schumann, one of the leading composers of the Romantic era, left behind a wealth of piano pieces brimming with warmth.
Among his works are approachable pieces at a relatively easy level, including “Träumerei,” which is frequently used on television and in commercials.
In this article, we introduce piano pieces that capture Schumann’s distinctive character while being accessible for beginners—works on the easier end of the difficulty spectrum.
From gentle, unhurried pieces to lively, spirited ones, we’ve selected a wide range.
Find your favorite and give it a try right away!
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- Lower difficulty: Not as hard as it sounds!? Debussy’s piano pieces
- [For Advanced Players] A Curated Selection of Classical Masterpieces to Tackle at Piano Recitals
- [Low Difficulty] Recommended Tchaikovsky Piano Pieces [Intermediate]
- Brahms Piano Pieces | A Curated Selection of Easier, Beginner-Friendly Works
- [For Elementary School Students] Brilliant, Showy Masterpieces That Sound Impressive at Piano Recitals
- [Beginner-Friendly] Rachmaninoff’s Piano Pieces | A Curated Selection of Accessible Works!
- [For Piano Recitals] Simple yet Cool Classical Pieces
- [Intermediate Level] Cool Piano Pieces You Can Play [Great for Recitals Too]
- Beginner-friendly: Easily playable Mendelssohn piano pieces. Recommended piano works.
[Beginner-friendly] Play it right now! A roundup of Schumann’s piano works (21–30)
Arabesque in C major, Op. 18Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann’s great masterpiece, Arabesque in C major, Op.
18.
The term “arabesque” means “in the Arabic style,” and, literally, Arabian-sounding melodies appear in the piece.
Although the difficulty varies depending on hand size, you can perform it without issue if you, for example, support the voices with both hands.
There is a section where “ritardando” appears twice, but since it can be hard to grasp the feel from the score alone, try referring to performances by professional musicians.
Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15 No. 1: ‘Of Foreign Lands and Peoples’Robert Schumann
The first piece, ‘Of Foreign Lands and Peoples,’ from Robert Schumann’s piano collection Scenes from Childhood—works he described as “pieces for adults depicting a child’s world.” There is an anecdote that his contemporary, composer Franz Liszt, said of this piece, “My daughter begs me to play it because she’s so fond of it.” The first piece is also known by titles such as “From a Foreign Land,” and it’s popular as a recital piece.
Its gently flowing melody is beautiful, so once you’re comfortable with it, try practicing effective pedal usage as well.
Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 16: “First Sorrow”Robert Schumann
No.
16, “First Sorrow,” from Album for the Young, evokes a poignant scene where quiet tears fall one by one.
As if catching the right hand’s melancholic melody, the left hand interjects with gentle responses, and the music flows smoothly forward.
It closes with a striking phrase of chords.
If you can convey both a quiet sadness and a sadness tinged with anger within this short piece, the result will be a step above.
Try relating it to your own experiences—like “This happened, and it made me sad”—to make expressing the emotions easier.
Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15 No. 13: “The Poet Speaks”Robert Schumann
No.
13, “The Poet Speaks,” from Scenes from Childhood, is a piece that maintains a gentle, calm atmosphere throughout.
It feels warm, as if a poet were speaking tenderly to children.
The music proceeds at a very relaxed tempo, and at one point the barlines are not written according to the meter.
This is a section meant to be played freely, almost improvisationally! Rather than simply lining up the notes, try playing while thinking, “If I play it like this, can I bring out the feeling of a poet speaking at ease?” Approaching it this way will deepen your affection for the piece.
Colorful Miniatures, Op. 99-4: Five Musical Sketchbooks, No. 1Robert Schumann
“Assorted Miniatures, Op.
99-4” is a collection of short pieces composed entirely of previously unreleased works.
Among them, “Five Musical Notebooks, No.
1” is a piece that evokes profound sorrow.
When we first start learning the piano, we tend to yearn for fast, virtuosic pieces.
However, by practicing pieces like this—where tone color and expression are essential—you can greatly expand the range of music you’re able to play.
If, as you practice, you find yourself thinking, “What a beautiful resonance,” that’s a sign your ear is developing! Be sure to play while savoring the beauty of the overlapping sounds.
Album for the Young, Op. 68, No. 8: “The Brave Knight”Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann, a composer who epitomizes German Romanticism, may seem daunting—especially his piano pieces.
However, there are certainly works that are well-suited for recitals.
Known in Japanese as both “The Boisterous Knight” and “The Brave Knight,” this short piece follows a ternary (ABA) form, offering the drama of well-crafted musical development—such as modulation in the middle section—and a melody characteristic of the Romantic era.
Technically, it isn’t overly difficult, making it a very approachable choice.
Pay attention to the 6/8 meter and the continuous triplets, and aim for a powerful performance that doesn’t become too rough.
Forest Scenes, Op. 82-3: “Lonely Flower”Robert Schumann
The third piece, “Lonely Flower,” from the piano miniatures Scenes from the Forest, lets you feel as if you’re quietly making your way through a tranquil woodland as you listen.
It is also translated as “Solitary Flower.” While the title may evoke a sense of poignancy or sadness, the piece itself conveys a gentle, warm atmosphere.
Perhaps that little flower was quietly waiting in the forest for someone to find it.
By using the pedal to connect the tones smoothly, you can express the piece’s soothing qualities.
If you like pieces with a relaxed mood, why not give it a try?