Canon
Where to start with Schumann
Essential works to know this composer by — spread across their styles-
KeyboardCarnaval, op. 9
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OrchestralPiano Concerto in A minor, op. 54
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ChamberPiano Quintet in E flat major, op. 44
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VocalDichterliebe, op. 48 — Song cycle
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KeyboardFantasy in C major, op. 17
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KeyboardArabesque, op. 18
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KeyboardKinderszenen, op. 15
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OrchestralSymphony no. 1 in B flat major, op. 38, "Spring"
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KeyboardToccata, op. 7
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OrchestralCello Concerto in A minor, op. 129
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KeyboardDavidsbündlertänze, op. 6
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KeyboardFantasy Pieces, op. 12
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VocalFrauenliebe und-leben, op. 42 — Song cycle
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KeyboardKreisleriana, op. 16
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VocalLiederkreis, op. 39 — Song cycle
Listening guide
Hand-curated paths into Schumann's catalogueMost Popular
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Piano Concerto in A minor
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Kinderszenen (piano)
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Dichterliebe (song cycle)
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Carnaval (piano)
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Träumerei (from Kinderszenen)
Most Acclaimed
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Symphonic Études
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Piano Sonata No. 2 in G minor
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Fantasie in C major Op. 17
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Dichterliebe
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Piano Quintet in E-flat
Most Weird
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Fantasie in C major Op. 17the first movement ends with a quotation from Beethoven’s song cycle ”To the Distant Beloved” — Schumann wrote it as a coded love letter to Clara that the authorities forbade him from seeing
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Kreisleriana Op. 168 pieces named after a fictional mad musician in E.T.A. Hoffmann — Schumann identified with him completely
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Humoreske Op. 20there is an ”inner voice” written on a middle staff that neither hand plays — it must be silently imagined while playing the other parts
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Geistervariationen (Ghost Variations)his last piano work before the mental breakdown — he said a voice from beyond brought him the theme; the voice was Schubert
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Violin Concerto in D minorwithheld from publication until 1937 — his family feared it showed mental deterioration; it does; it’s extraordinary
Similar composers
Same era, overlapping styles — by genre & period affinityWorks 158
- Keyboard
- ● Carnaval, op. 9
- ● Fantasy in C major, op. 17
- ● Arabesque, op. 18
- ● Kinderszenen, op. 15
- ● Toccata, op. 7
- Davidsbündlertänze, op. 6
- Fantasy Pieces, op. 12
- Kreisleriana, op. 16
- Papillons, op. 2
- Études symphoniques, op. 13
- Album für die Jugend, op. 68
- Albumblätter, op. 124
- Allegro in B minor, op. 8
- Andante and Variations, op. 46 — For 2 pianos
- Ballscenen, op. 109 — For piano 4 hands
- Bilder aus Osten, op. 66 — For piano 4 hands
- Blumenstück, op. 19
- Bunte Blätter, op. 99
- Concert Etudes on Caprices by Paganini, op. 10
- Etudes in Canon Form, op. 56 — For pedal piano or organ
- Fantasy Pieces, op. 111
- Faschingsschwank aus Wien, op. 26
- Fugues on B-A-C-H, op. 60
- Fugues, op. 72
- Gesänge der Frühe, op. 133
- Humoresque, op. 20
- Impromptus on a Theme by Clara Wieck, op. 5
- Intermezzi, op. 4
- Kinderball, op. 130 — For piano 4 hands
- Klavierstücke in Fughettenform, op. 126
- Klavierstücke, op. 32
- Marches, op. 76
- Nachtstück, op. 23
- Novelletten, op. 21
- Piano Pieces for Young and Older Children, op. 85 — For piano 4 hands
- Piano Sonata no. 1 in F sharp minor, op. 11, "Grand Sonata"
- Piano Sonata no. 2 in G minor, op. 22
- Piano Sonata no. 3 in F minor, op. 14, "Concerto Without Orchestra"
- Polonaises, WoO 20 — For piano 4 hands
- Romanzen, op. 28
- Three Piano Sonatas for the Young, op. 118
- Variations on a Theme by Beethoven, WoO 31
- Variations on a Theme by Clara Wieck, op. 14
- Variations on an Original Theme, WoO 24, "Ghost Variations"
- Variations on the name Abegg, op. 1
- Waldszenen, op. 82
- Orchestral
- ● Piano Concerto in A minor, op. 54
- ● Symphony no. 1 in B flat major, op. 38, "Spring"
- Cello Concerto in A minor, op. 129
- Symphony no. 2 in C major, op. 61
- Symphony no. 3 in E flat major, op. 97, "Rhenish"
- Fantasy for violin and orchestra in C major, op. 131
- Hermann und Dorothea, op. 136 — Overture
- Introduction and Allegro appassionato, op. 92 — For piano and orchestra
- Introduction and Concert Allegro, op. 134 — For piano and orchestra
- Julius Caesar, op. 128 — Overture
- Konzertstück for 4 Horns and Orchestra, op. 86
- Overture, Scherzo and Finale, op. 52
- Symphony in G minor, WoO 29, "Zwickau"
- Symphony no. 4 in D minor, op. 120
- The Bride of Messina, op. 100 — Overture
- Violin Concerto in D minor, WoO 23
- Chamber
- ● Piano Quintet in E flat major, op. 44
- Piano Quartet in E flat major, op. 47
- Adagio and Allegro, op. 70 — For horn and piano
- Andante and Variations, WoO 10 — For 2 pianos, 2 cellos and horn
- Fantasy pieces, op. 73 — For clarinet and piano
- Fantasy pieces, op. 88 — For piano trio
- Five pieces in folk tone, op. 102 — For cello and piano
- Märchenbilder, op. 113 — For viola and piano
- Märchenerzählungen, op. 132 — For clarinet, viola and piano
- Piano Trio no. 1 in D minor, op. 63
- Piano Trio no. 2 in F major, op. 80
- Piano Trio no. 3 in G minor, op. 110
- Piano quartet in C minor, WoO 32
- Romances, op. 94 — For oboe and piano
- String Quartet no. 1 in A minor, op. 41 no. 1
- String Quartet no. 2 in F major, op. 41 no. 2
- String Quartet no. 3 in A major, op. 41 no. 3
- Violin Sonata in A minor, WoO 2
- Violin Sonata no. 1 in A minor, op. 105
- Violin Sonata no. 2 in D minor, op. 121
- Violin Sonata no. 3 in A minor, WoO 27
- Vocal
- Dichterliebe, op. 48 — Song cycle
- Frauenliebe und-leben, op. 42 — Song cycle
- Liederkreis, op. 39 — Song cycle
- Scenes from Goethe's Faust, WoO 3 — Oratorio
- Balladen, op. 122 — Declamation with piano
- Bei Schenkung eines Flügels, WoO 26 no. 4 — Song for choir and piano
- Beim Abschied zu singen, op. 84 — Song for choir and winds
- Belsatzar, op. 57 — Song
- Das Paradies und die Peri, op. 50 — Oratorio
- Der Handschuh, op. 87 — Song
- Der Königssohn, op. 116 — Song for soloists, choir and orchestra
- Der Rose Pilgerfahrt, op. 112 — Oratorio
- Des Sängers Fluch, op. 139 — Song for solo voice, chorus and orchestra
- Doppelchörige Gesänge, op. 141 — Songs for choir
- Duets, op. 34 — Songs
- Duets, op. 43 — Songs
- Duets, op. 78 — Songs
- Gedichte aus "Liebesfrühling", op. 37 — Songs
- Gedichte der Königin Maria Stuart, op. 135 — Song
- Gedichte und Requiem, op. 90 — Songs
- Gedichte, op. 119 — Songs
- Gedichte, op. 29 — Songs
- Gedichte, op. 35 — Songs
- Gedichte, op. 36 — Songs
- Gesänge, op. 107 — Songs
- Gesänge, op. 142 — Songs
- Gesänge, op. 30 — Songs
- Gesänge, op. 31 — Songs
- Gesänge, op. 59 — Songs
- Gesänge, op. 83 — Songs
- Gesänge, op. 89 — Songs
- Gesänge, op. 95 — Songs
- Gesänges Erwachen, WoO 21 — Song
- Heitere Gesänge, op. 125 — Songs
- Husarenlieder, op. 117 — Songs
- Im Herbste, WoO 10 — Song
- Jagdlieder, op. 137 — Songs for male choir and 4 horns
- Lieder und Gesänge aus Wilhelm Meister, op. 98a — Songs
- Lieder und Gesänge, op. 127 — Songs
- Lieder und Gesänge, op. 27 — Songs
- Lieder und Gesänge, op. 51 — Songs
- Lieder und Gesänge, op. 77 — Songs
- Lieder und Gesänge, op. 96 — Songs
- Lieder, op. 114 — Songs
- Lieder, op. 33 — Songs
- Lieder, op. 40 — Songs
- Lieder, op. 55 — Songs
- Lieder-Album für die Jugend, op. 79 — Songs
- Liederkreis, op. 24 — Song cycle
- Minnespiel, op. 101 — Songs
- Missa sacra, op. 147
- Myrthen, op. 25 — Song cycle
- Mädchenlieder, op. 103 — Songs
- Nachtlied, op. 108 — Song for choir and orchestra
- Requiem für Mignon, op. 98b
- Requiem, op. 148
- Ritornelle in canonischen Weisen, op. 65 — Songs
- Romanzen und Balladen, op. 145 — Songs
- Romanzen und Balladen, op. 146 — Songs
- Romanzen und Balladen, op. 45 — Songs
- Romanzen und Balladen, op. 49 — Songs
- Romanzen und Balladen, op. 53 — Songs
- Romanzen und Balladen, op. 64 — Songs
- Romanzen und Balladen, op. 67 — Songs
- Romanzen und Balladen, op. 75 — Songs
- Romanzen, op. 69 — Songs
- Romanzen, op. 91 — Songs
- Schön Hedwig, op. 106 — Declamation with piano
- Sommerruh, wie schoen bist du!, WoO 9 — Song
- Songs, op. 104 — Songs
- Spanische Liebeslieder, op. 138 — Songs
- Spanisches Liederspiel, op. 74 — Songs
- Vom Pagen und der Königstochter, op. 140 — Songs for soloists, choir and orchestra
- Stage
- Genoveva, op. 81 — Opera
- Manfred, op. 115 — Incidental music