Robert Schumann ： Album fur die Jugend Knecht Ruprecht in a-moll Op.68-12

This compact character piece has a march-like character and a strong sense of forward momentum. Crisp rhythms and accents drive the music onward, while the sonority of the weighty chords helps shape its distinctive impression. Against the brisk motion of the opening section, a somewhat calmer expression emerges before the music regains its vitality and comes to a close. In performance, it is important not to make the left-hand accompaniment too heavy, but to maintain the flow of the beat while keeping the accents clear. Strong dynamic contrasts, balanced with poise amid the bravado, bring out the piece’s appeal.