Schumann, Robert: Romances for Oboe (or Violin or Clarinet) and Piano

In 1849, Schumann gifted chamber music works to three wind instruments: the clarinet with the “Drei Fantasiestücke” op. 73, the horn with the Adagio and Allegro op. 70, and the oboe with these “Drei Romanzen” op. 94. In the first Romance we have a ballade-like mood in a minor. The second romance resembles a song without words, and is in A major, while the finale, with its calling motifs and piano arpeggios, recalls the popular poems of Northern Europe of the time. Composed in December 1849, the Romanzen were presented to Schumann’s wife Clara as a Christmas present. This manuscript does not survive, but it has been possible to consult some autograph sketches for our Urtext. The editor’s preface and commentary provide extensive information about the sources and the textual problems encountered.