Kinderszenen

"The Kinderszenen are simple, unpretentious pieces. But they were not intended for children. Schumann's purpose was to create a loving and insightful representation of childhood for adults. Most are less than a page in length, and in content and structure are a world apart from the Novelletten. It is surprising that he originally coupled them with the Novelletten. But perhaps he perceived the Kinderszenen as creating a distinct impression for the more visionary Novelletten, at the same time taking pleasure in the startling contrast between the two sets. Clara was delighted with the Kinderszenen and wrote telling him that they "belonged only to us" (21 March 1839). Because of their personal nature, a dedicatee was conspicuously omitted."