Masterclass: Schumann’s Adagio and Allegro op.70

In 1849 Robert Schumann composed four cycles of small character pieces: the Romanzen for oboe and piano; the Fantasiestücke for clarinet and piano; the Stücke im Volkston for cello; and the Adagio and Allegro for French horn and piano. This last piece was originally named Romanze and Allegro, but Schumann later changed it to Adagio and Allegro, producing an alternative version for cello and piano – just as he did with the Fantasiestücke for clarinet. Clara Schumann premiered the new work with the horn player Julius Schlitterlau, writing subsequently in her diary: ‘The piece is splendid, fresh and passionate, just as I like it!’ Even Schumann said he had ‘had fun with it’.