Waldszenen (Forest Scenes), Op. 82, is a set of nine short solo piano pieces composed by Robert Schumann in 1848–1849, first published in 1850–1851 in Leipzig by Bartholf Senff.[1]

Cover of the first edition (1850–51)
Schumann's draft of No. 3, "Einsame Blumen"

On the set, Schumann wrote: "The titles for pieces of music, since they again have come into favor in our day, have been censured here and there, and it has been said that 'good music needs no sign-post.' Certainly not, but neither does a title rob it of its value; and the composer, by adding one, at least prevents a complete misunderstanding of the character of his music. What is important is that such a verbal heading should be significant and apt. It may be considered the test of the general level of the composer's education."[2]

Movements

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The nine movements are shown in the table below.

No.Title[3]Approximate
duration
Key
signature
1Eintritt (Entry)
Nicht zu schnell – Not too fast
2:10B major
2Jäger auf der Lauer (Hunters on the Lookout)
Höchst lebhaft – Very lively
1:18D minor
3Einsame Blumen (Lonely Flowers)
Einfach – Simple
2:17B major
4Verrufene Stelle (Haunted Place)
Ziemlich langsam – Pretty slow
3:07D minor
5Freundliche Landschaft (Friendly Landscape)
Schnell – Fast
1:07B major
6Herberge (Wayside Inn)
Mäßig – Moderate
2:02E major
7Vogel als Prophet (Bird as Prophet)
Langsam. Sehr zart – Slowly. Very tender
3:20G minor
8Jagdlied (Hunting Song)
Rasch, kräftig – Fast, strong
2:29E major
9Abschied (Farewell)
Nicht schnell – Not fast
3:29B major

Recordings

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PianistPianoLabelRecording year
Penelope CrawfordConrad Graf (1835)Musica Omnia1998
Jan VermeulenJohann Nepomuk Tröndlin (1830-1835)Accent2010
Andreas StaierErard (1837)Harmonia Mundi2007
Tobias KochErard (1852)Genuin2008
Ziad KreidyErard (1852)2017

References

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  1. ^ Waldszenen, Op. 82: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  2. ^ "Waldszenen, Op. 82". laphil.com. Archived from the original on 2015-09-07. Retrieved 2014-11-19.
  3. ^ "Schumann – Waldszenen (Forest Scenes), op. 82". pianopedia.com.
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