Schumann Selections from Album for the Young Opus 68 Hal Leonard Piano Library: A Comprehensive Review

Robert Schumann's Album for the Young, Opus 68, is a collection of 43 short piano pieces for young pianists. It was published in 1848 and quickly became one of the most popular piano collections for children. The pieces are accessible to young players, while still providing musical and technical challenges that help them develop their skills.

The Selections from Album for the Young published by Hal Leonard includes 15 of the most popular pieces from the original collection. These pieces are carefully selected to provide a range of musical styles and technical challenges, making them suitable for students of all levels.

The 15 pieces in the Selections from Album for the Young are:

Schumann - Selections from Album for the Young, Opus 68 (Hal Leonard Piano Library)

by Jennifer Linn

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	23652 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	40 pages

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1. The Happy Farmer
2. Little March
3. Country Dance
4. Melody
5. Soldiers' March
6. Hunting Song
7. Wild Horseman
8. The Shepherd's Song
9. The Reaper's Song
10. First Loss
11. The Sick Doll
12. The Merry Peasant
13. Spring Song
14. Knight Rupert
15. March of the Dwarfs

Each piece is a miniature masterpiece, showcasing Schumann's gift for melody and his understanding of the technical capabilities of young pianists.

• The Happy Farmer is a cheerful piece in G major, with a simple melody and a bouncy rhythm. It is a great piece for beginners to practice their finger coordination.

• Little March is a short march in C major, with a strong bass line and a playful melody. It is a good piece for students to practice their marching rhythm.

• Country Dance is a lively dance in D major, with a lilting melody and a steady beat. It is a fun piece for students to practice their coordination between their hands.

• Melody is a beautiful melody in F major, with a simple accompaniment. It is a good piece for students to practice their legato playing.

• Soldiers' March is a majestic march in C major, with a strong bass line and a soaring melody. It is a good piece for students to practice their dynamic range.

• Hunting Song is a lively piece in D major, with a catchy melody and a galloping rhythm. It is a good piece for students to practice their staccato playing.

• Wild Horseman is a dramatic piece in G minor, with a fast and furious melody. It is a good piece for students to practice their finger speed and accuracy.

• The Shepherd's Song is a gentle piece in F major, with a simple melody and a pastoral accompaniment. It is a good piece for students to practice their phrasing.

• The Reaper's Song is a haunting piece in D minor, with a sad melody and a spare accompaniment. It is a good piece for students to practice their expressive playing.

• First Loss is a poignant piece in G minor, with a simple melody and a gentle accompaniment. It is a good piece for students to practice their rubato playing.

• The Sick Doll is a delicate piece in F major, with a simple melody and a sparse accompaniment. It is a good piece for students to practice their soft playing.

• The Merry Peasant is a lively piece in G major, with a catchy melody and a bouncy rhythm. It is a good piece for students to practice their articulation.

• Spring Song is a cheerful piece in B-flat major, with a flowing melody and a bright accompaniment. It is a good piece for students to practice their legato playing.

• Knight Rupert is a heroic piece in C major, with a strong bass line and a soaring melody. It is a good piece for students to practice their dynamic range.

• March of the Dwarfs is a playful piece in G minor, with a catchy melody and a bouncy rhythm. It is a good piece for students to practice their coordination between their hands.

Here are some tips for performing the pieces in the Selections from Album for the Young:

• Pay attention to the dynamics. Schumann's music is full of dynamic contrasts, so it is important to pay attention to the markings in the score.

• Use rubato. Rubato is a slight fluctuation in tempo that can add expression to your playing. However, be careful not to overdo it.

• Pedal sparingly. The use of the pedal can add resonance and warmth to your playing, but it is important to use it sparingly.

• Practice slowly. It is important to practice the pieces slowly at first, so that you can focus on the details. Once you have mastered the details, you can gradually increase the tempo.

• Have fun! The most important thing is to have fun while playing these pieces. Schumann's music is full of joy and energy, so let yourself go and enjoy the experience.

Schumann's music is characterized by its lyricism, its use of harmony, and its rhythmic vitality.

• Lyricism: Schumann's melodies are often long and flowing, with a strong sense of melody.

• Harmony: Schumann's music is often harmonically rich, with frequent use of chromaticism and modulation.

• Rhythmic vitality: Schumann's music is often full of rhythmic energy, with frequent use of syncopation and cross-rhythms.

The pieces in the Selections from Album for the Young are a great way to introduce students to Schumann's musical style. These pieces are accessible to young players, while still providing musical and technical challenges that help them develop their skills.

The Selections from Album for the Young published by Hal Leonard is a valuable resource for piano teachers and students alike. The pieces in this collection are carefully selected to provide a range of musical styles and technical challenges, making them suitable for students of all levels. With its detailed analysis of each piece, performance tips, and insights into Schumann's musical style, this comprehensive review provides a valuable guide for anyone interested in exploring Schumann's enchanting melodies. Whether you're a piano teacher looking for suitable repertoire for your students or a pianist eager to explore Schumann's enchanting melodies, this in-depth guide will offer valuable insights and inspire your musical journey.

Schumann - Selections from Album for the Young, Opus 68 (Hal Leonard Piano Library)

by Jennifer Linn

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	23652 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	40 pages

FREE