Robert Schumann - Träumerei (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15 No. 7)

The Woodman’s Child by Arthur Hughes reflects the dreamy and introspective atmosphere of Schumann’s Träumerei from Scenes from Childhood.

For Robert Schumann, music was almost always a deeply personal expression of introspection, emotion, and poetic reflection—qualities that firmly establish him as one of the most significant composers of the Romantic era. The piano was Schumann’s first great love, and his works for the instrument have proved remarkably enduring over time.

Schumann composed Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood), his best-known piano cycle, in 1838. It consists of thirteen “peculiarly small pieces,” as the composer himself described them, each bearing a title that evokes a distinct childhood impression or memory. Although all thirteen pieces share a sense of intimacy and charm, “Träumerei” (Dreaming) stands out as the most beloved and universally recognized.

The piece is frequently included in solo piano anthologies and is often chosen by virtuoso performers as a moment of lyrical repose within their recital programs.

In Träumerei, the composer gazes tenderly at the innocence and quiet joys of childhood. From a technical standpoint, the music is disarmingly simple: a slow, melancholic melody in the upper register, supported by a gentle and unobtrusive accompaniment. Yet within this apparent simplicity lies extraordinary depth. The melody moves effortlessly back and forth, evoking fleeting images and memories that linger briefly, pause, and then dissolve peacefully into silence. This unassuming musical stream ranks among the most exquisite and expressive piano miniatures ever written.