About the piece
It is the seventh of the thirteen pieces of Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood) Op. 15, written in 1838: childhood memories seen by an adult, not music for children.
The melody moves between voices and the hands share the chords: a little exercise in singing several voices at once.
How to practise it
- Find the melody in the video: sometimes it is on top, sometimes in an inner voice.
- Hold the long notes while the others move: fingers “glued” to the keys.
- Light pedal, changed with every harmony.
- The opening phrase returns several times: polish every detail of it.
Free sheet music
First page. Complete sheet music (PDF) on the Mutopia Project (public domain, edition by Ying-Chun Liu); in the Piano Learning app you read it two pages side by side while you play.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Scenes from Childhood for children?
No: Schumann described them as an adult's memories for adults. Some pieces are approachable at intermediate level, though.
What does Träumerei mean?
“Reverie”, “daydreaming”.