Robert Schumann | Introduction to his famous and representative works

Composer Robert Schumann, regarded as a romantic successor to Beethoven and Schubert, left works across a wide range of genres, from symphonies to choral music.

His output has so far been particularly noted for piano pieces and lieder.

Skillfully blending both Classical and Romantic styles, he produced many lyrical, romantic works unlike those of any other composer.

Here, we’ve picked out some of Schumann’s masterpieces and signature pieces.

Be sure to listen to Schumann’s works, which left a profound influence on later composers.

Playlist

Robert Schumann \| Introduction to his famous and representative works
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	KreislerianaRobert Schumann		Kreisleriana
2	Piano Concerto in A minorRobert Schumann		Characteristics of Schumann's Piano Concerto
3	Symphony No. 1 in B-flat major “Spring”Robert Schumann		Schumann Symphony No. 1 “Spring”
4	Scenes from ChildhoodRobert Schumann		Schumann’s piano collection, Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood), with “Träumerei” as its representative piece.
5	Adagio and AllegroRobert Schumann		Popular difficult pieces for horn and piano
6	Piano Quintet in E-flat majorRobert Schumann		Schumann’s chamber music masterpiece, the Piano Quintet
7	Symphony No. 4 in D minorRobert Schumann		Schumann Symphony No. 4 A Gift to Clara
8	Symphonic EtudesRobert Schumann		Schumann’s Variations, a masterpiece of orchestral expression
9	Song Cycle “A Poet’s Love”Robert Schumann		Art songs by Schumann set to poems by Heine
10	CarnivalRobert Schumann		A representative early piano collection by Schumann
11	Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major “Rhenish”Robert Schumann		Schumann’s Symphony inspired by the Rhine River
12	Song: A Woman’s Love and LifeRobert Schumann		Schumann’s song cycle series depicting love and life
13	Arabesque in C majorRobert Schumann		The first Arabesque composed by Schumann
14	PapillonRobert Schumann		A suite in which Schumann set a masked ball to music
15	Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minorRobert Schumann		Piano Sonata for Moscheles
16	Fantasia in C majorRobert Schumann		Schumann’s Fantasie, expressing his love for Clara
17	Fantasiestücke, Op. 12Robert Schumann		Schumann’s Fantasiestücke: A work symbolizing two personalities
18	Carnival Clowns of ViennaRobert Schumann		A piano suite depicting the bustle of Vienna’s Carnival
19	Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 10 “The Merry Farmer”Robert Schumann		A piano miniature by Schumann expressing a farmer’s joy
20	Myrthen (Song Cycle)Robert Schumann		A song cycle dedicated to Schumann’s wife
21	Flower Song in D-flat majorRobert Schumann		Schumann’s literary and sentimental musical works
22	Three Fantasy Pieces, Op. 111Robert Schumann		Three piano solo pieces, performed without a break
23	Piano Sonata No. 1 in F-sharp minorRobert Schumann		Schumann’s first large-scale work in sonata form
24	Violin Sonata No. 1 in A minorRobert Schumann		Violin Sonata No. 1 by Schumann
25	Forest Scenes, Op. 82 – No. 7 “The Prophet Bird”Robert Schumann		A fantastical Schumann piece perfect for Halloween
26	Avec Variations, Op. 1Robert Schumann		An early work by Schumann: variations themed on imaginary friends
27	Scene of the ForestRobert Schumann		A collection of piano pieces inspired by Laube’s poems
28	Three Sonatas for Children, Op. 11 No. 1 “II. Theme and Variations” Op. 118a-2Robert Schumann		The charm of variations filled with love for children
29	Requiem in D-flat majorRobert Schumann		Schumann’s solemn Mass
30	Arabesque in C major, Op. 18Robert Schumann		Robert Schumann’s great masterpiece “Arabesque …”
31	Konzertstück for Four Horns and OrchestraRobert Schumann		An Ultra-Difficult Concerto for Horn Quartet
32	Piano Sonata No. 2 in G minorRobert Schumann		Piano Sonata No. 2 was actually the last one composed.
33	Carnival Jest from Vienna, Op. 26 No. 1 “Allegro”Robert Schumann		Schumann’s Carnival pieces. Innovative and technically demanding.
34	TraumereiRobert Schumann		Schumann’s piano piece is beautiful yet lonely.
35	Album for ChildrenRobert Schumann		A collection of short piano pieces consisting of 43 works in total. Among them, the ...
36	Piano Concerto, First MovementRobert Schumann		Schumann’s Piano Concerto: the blossoming of his orchestral talent
37	Symphony No. 2 in C majorRobert Schumann		A Symphony Dedicated to the King of Sweden
38	Scenes from Childhood No. 1: Of Foreign Lands and PeoplesRobert Schumann		Since many people say they’ve heard it at least once…
39	Symphony No. 1 “Spring”Robert Schumann		As the subtitle “Spring” suggests, it’s bright and full of cheer…
40	“Butterflies,” Op. 2: No. 10, “Unmasking the Mask”Robert Schumann		Schumann’s piano suite, a masterpiece brimming with lyric poetry
41	Kreisleriana, Op. 16 No. 7Robert Schumann		A passionate minor-key piece: Schumann’s anguish
42	Symphony No. 4, Movement IRobert Schumann		Schumann composed symphonies and other works one after another.
43	“Butterflies” Op. 2, IntroductionRobert Schumann		Introduction to a masked ball. A Romantic, fantastical miniature.
44	Requiem in D-flat major, Op. 148Robert Schumann		A poetic and beautiful Requiem that Schumann wrote for himself.
45	Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15-13 “The Poet Speaks”Robert Schumann		A warm song in which a poet gently speaks to a child
46	Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15 No. 13: “The Poet Speaks”Robert Schumann		A warm song in which a poet gently speaks to a child
47	Arabesque in C major, Op. 18Robert Schumann		Introduction to Schumann’s Beautiful Piano Works
48	Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13Robert Schumann		The composer Robert Schu—, a leading figure of the Romantic era,
49	Album for the Young, Op. 68, No. 8 “The Brave Horseman”Robert Schumann		A lively piece! This piece was composed in 1848 by Ku…
50	“Butterflies,” Op. 2, No. 12: “Final Scene and the Returning Brothers”Robert Schumann		Schumann’s Butterfly finale depicts the end of a ball
51	“Butterflies” Op. 2 No. 1 “Masquerade”Robert Schumann		Schumann’s waltz: light and lively, with a touch of brilliance.
52	“Butterflies,” Op. 2, No. 3: “Waltz”Robert Schumann		Introduction to Schumann’s “Carnival of the Butterflies,” Waltz No. 3
53	“Butterfly,” Op. 2, No. 6: “Waltz of the Wurzel”Robert Schumann		Consisting of 12 short pieces that dance gracefully like butterflies…
54	Carnaval, Op. 9 No. 2: PierrotRobert Schumann		Schumann’s Pierrot pieces depict delicate emotions.
55	Carnaval, Op. 9 No. 5 — EusebiusRobert Schumann		Schumann's works, a world of quiet dreams
56	Three Sonatas for Children, Op. 11, No. 2: “3. Evening Song” Op. 118b-3Robert Schumann		Schumann’s heartwarming piano piece
57	Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 35 “Mignon”Robert Schumann		A poetic piece by Schumann inspired by Mignon
58	Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15, No. 5: An Important EventRobert Schumann		A charming miniature that depicts a child's worldview
59	Alliance de David, Dance Collection No. 18, Non presto, C major — not fastRobert Schumann		A serene, small piece by Schumann brimming with poetic sentiment
60	Morning Songs No. 1: In a calm tempoRobert Schumann		A Schumann piano piece expressing the quiet of morning.
61	Carnaval, Op. 9 No. 12 – ChopinRobert Schumann		Schumann’s masterpiece filled with love for Chopin
62	Album for the Young, Op. 68-4 “Chorale”Robert Schumann		A relatively easy piece by Robert Schumann…
63	Cello Concerto in A minorRobert Schumann		Romantic-era cello concerto, high difficulty
64	Piano Quartet in E-flat majorRobert Schumann		Schumann’s Masterpiece of Chamber Music in Four Movements
65	Manfred OvertureRobert Schumann		Manfred Overture and Incidental Music
66	Violin Sonata No. 2 in D minorRobert Schumann		Violin Sonata No. 2 is a masterpiece that reflects on the lessons of No. 1.
67	Violin Concerto in A minorRobert Schumann		Schumann’s posthumous work discovered 80 years later
68	Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 16 “First Sorrow”Robert Schumann		A touching piece that expresses Schumann’s quiet sorrow
69	Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 18: “The Reaper’s Song”Robert Schumann		Schumann’s piano piece that expresses the joy of the harvest
70	Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 2: “Soldiers’ March”Robert Schumann		A children's march characterized by chords and dotted rhythms
71	Morning SongRobert Schumann		Schumann’s last collection of piano pieces
72	Paradise and PellyRobert Schumann		Schumann’s oratorio Paradise and the Peri
73	Album for the Young, Op. 68, No. 8: “The Brave Knight”Robert Schumann		The composer representing German Romanticism, Robel…
74	Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15 No. 7 “Träumerei”Robert Schumann		A composer representative of the Romantic movement born in Germany, …
75	Toccata in C major, Op. 7Robert Schumann		The piece renowned as one of Schumann’s most difficult works, “Tocc…
76	Brave Rider (from “Album for Children”)Robert Schumann		A surge of flowing sounds and a powerful rhythm...
77	Album for the Young, Op. 68: No. 8 “The Brave Knight”Robert Schumann		The composer representing German Romanticism, Robel…
78	Fantasiestücke, Op. 12: FlyingRobert Schumann		German Romantic composer Robert Schu...
79	Fantasy Pieces: Flight, Op. 12 No. 2Robert Schumann		The right hand in Schumann’s Toccata is the key to the performance.
80	Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54Robert Schumann		The intensity and elegance of Schumann’s Piano Concerto
81	Dreaming (Träumerei) from Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15Robert Schumann		The Charm of Schumann’s “Kinderszenen,” No. 7
82	Three Sonatas for Children, Op. 118a-1 in G majorRobert Schumann		He left behind numerous works with the word 'child' in their titles...
83	Op. 68, No. 4 (Chorale)Robert Schumann		Works by the Romantic composer Schumann
84	Three Sonatas for Children, Op. 118 No. 1 “1. Allegro” Op. 118a-1Robert Schumann		He left behind numerous works with the word 'child' in their titles...
85	Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 10 “The Happy Farmer”Robert Schumann		Composed by Robert Schumann in just two weeks…
86	Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 16: “First Sorrow”Robert Schumann		A poignant scene where tears quietly trickle down...
87	Album for Children, Op. 68 No. 18: “The Reaper’s Song”Robert Schumann		The 18th piece, “...”, from Album for the Young
88	Album for the Young, Op. 68-2 “Soldiers’ March”Robert Schumann		Soldiers’ march, characterized by chords and dotted rhythms
89	Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15 No. 1: ‘Of Foreign Lands and Peoples’Robert Schumann		Robert Schumann’s masterpiece that “depicts a child’s heart”...
90	Album Leaf, Op. 124-13 “Larghetto”Robert Schumann		A choral passage where multiple voices move in the same rhythm...
91	Album Leaf, Op. 124 No. 6 “Lullaby”Robert Schumann		The piano collection of short pieces in 20 numbers, “Album…”
92	Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129Robert Schumann		Cello Concerto by Schumann
93	Arabesque, Op. 18Robert Schumann		Schumann’s Arabeske is elegant and beautiful
94	German-style waltzRobert Schumann		Carnaval: Schumann’s work infused with his feelings for Ernestine
95	Papillons No. 2, Op. 2 in E-flat majorRobert Schumann		Introduction to Schumann's piano pieces for spring
96	Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 38: In Winter Time IRobert Schumann		Schumann’s winter miniatures: delicate tone colors and sensitivity
97	Jugend-Album (Album for the Young), Op. 68 No. 39: Wintertime IIRobert Schumann		Schumann’s piano piece imbued with winter emotions
98	Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 97 “Rhenish”Robert Schumann		Schumann’s Rhenish Symphony expresses the charms of the region.
99	Symphony No. 3 “Rhenish”Robert Schumann		Schumann’s piano piece expressing river scenes
100	Etude in the Form of Variations, Op. 13 — Posthumous No. 5Robert Schumann		Posthumous No. 5 from Schumann’s Symphonic Etudes
101	Brave Rider from ‘Album for Children’Robert Schumann		A short masterpiece that expresses the image of a knight
102	Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 10: The Happy FarmerRobert Schumann		The joy of a farmer returning from work
103	Album for the Young, Op. 68: No. 1 “Melody”Robert Schumann		Schumann’s piano piece for children, “Melody”
104	Album for the Young, Op. 68: No. 2 “Soldiers’ March”Robert Schumann		This piece was composed by Robert Schumann at the age of 18…
105	Album for the Young, Op. 68, No. 8: The Brave RiderRobert Schumann		German composer Robert …, a leading figure of the Romantic era
106	Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15Robert Schumann		Schumann is a Romantic composer.
107	Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15, No. 7 “Träumerei”Robert Schumann		A famous piano piece composed by Schumann
108	Scenes from Childhood No. 7 “Träumerei”Robert Schumann		Schumann’s famous piece “Träumerei”
109	Dreaming (Träumerei) from Scenes from ChildhoodRobert Schumann		Introducing Schumann’s famous piano piece, Träumerei
110	Fantasiestücke, Op. 12: No. 2 “Flying”Robert Schumann		The left-hand performance in Schumann’s Toccata is important.
111	Fantasiestücke, Op. 12: No. 2, “Aufschwung” (Flight)Robert Schumann		A composer representing the German Romantic movement of the 19th century…
112	Fantasy Miniatures No. 2: FlightRobert Schumann		Like the run-up of someone about to take flight...
113	Beloved May,Robert Schumann		Schumann’s gentle May masterpiece
114	Forest Scene Op. 82-1: Entrance to the ForestRobert Schumann		Forest Scenes, Op. 82 consists of nine pieces...
115	Forest Scenes, Op. 82-3: “Lonely Flower”Robert Schumann		Feel as if you’re moving through a quiet forest while listening…
116	“In the wonderful month of May,” from the song cycle “A Poet’s Love”Robert Schumann		The song cycle composed by Schumann in 1840…
117	“In the Beautiful Month of May” from the song cycle “Dichterliebe,” Op. 48Robert Schumann		Composed by Robert Schumann in 1840…
118	The Beautiful FarmerRobert Schumann		A difficult piece that can be reproduced if you stick to the basic practice.
119	Colorful Miniatures, Op. 99-4: Five Musical Sketchbooks, No. 1Robert Schumann		"Colorful Miniatures, Op. 99-4" is un…
120	Three RomancesRobert Schumann		Throughout, Schumann's ‘Träumerei’…
121	Album for the Young, Op. 68-14: Little StudyRobert Schumann		Play quietly and with the utmost evenness…
122	Album for the Young, Op. 68-1 “Melody”Robert Schumann		Robert Schumann’s efforts for children and the younger generation…
123	Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 14 “Little Study”Robert Schumann		Play quietly and with the utmost evenness…
124	Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 97 “Rhenish”Robert Schumann		Schumann's heroic and brilliant music
125	springRobert Schumann		Express the life activities of spring with a sense of relaxation
126	‘Of Foreign Lands and Peoples’ from ‘Scenes from Childhood’Robert Schumann		A scene of children absorbed in tales of foreign lands
127	Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 1: MelodyRobert Schumann		For children and the younger generation, Robert Schuma...
128	Scenes from Childhood No. 7: Träumerei (Dreams)Robert Schumann		Schumann’s famous piece “Scenes from Childhood,” Traumerei
129	“Flight” from Fantasiestücke, Op. 12Robert Schumann		Characteristics of Beethoven’s Symphony of Fate
130	SupercalifragilisticexpialidociousRobert Schumann		A Mary Poppins song perfect for a sports day
131	Joyful FarmerRobert Schumann		A composer from Germany who represents the Romantic era, Sch…
132	Mai, lieber MaiRobert Schumann		A small piece barely 2 minutes and 40 seconds in performance length...
133	From ‘Scenes from Childhood,’ No. 1 ‘Of Foreign Lands and Peoples’Robert Schumann		The song used in the “Older Brother and Younger Brother” arc is, do...
134	Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15-1: ‘Of Foreign Lands and Peoples’Robert Schumann		Robert Schumann’s masterpiece that “depicts a child’s heart”...
135	Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15 No. 7 “Träumerei”Robert Schumann		I found myself enchanted by the dreamy, beautiful melody…
136	Fantasiestücke, Op. 12 No. 2 “Aufschwung”Robert Schumann		The composer Robert Schu—, a leading figure of the Romantic era,
137	Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15, No. 7: DreamingRobert Schumann		Schumann’s “Kinderszenen” is a work in which delicate expressiveness is crucial.
138	Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13Robert Schumann		Schumann's advanced piano etudes work
139	Fantasia in C major, Op. 17Robert Schumann		The Romantic master, Robert Schumann, ...