Schumann: Abegg Variations op. 1 (Piano Solo)

Robert Schumann

Ernst Herttrich (Editor)
Walther Lampe (Fingering)

Who was “Pauline, Countess of Abegg,” the dedicatee of the first edition? Nowadays it is known that the matter revolves around a romantic mystification of the name of Meta Abegg, a friend from Schumann's youth, whose surname inspired Schumann to a theme on A-B-E-G-G (a-hb-e-g-g). The “rewarding and sparkling piece” – as it was described by a critic of the time – makes high technical demands, but is distinguished by a youthful freshness and ingenious virtuosity. With this work (the first, incidentally, that Schumann deemed worthy of publication), Henle has issued a good third of Schumann's piano works in revised versions that take account of the current state of research. The thoroughly-revised musical text is complemented by an informative preface and detailed commentary. Further revised volumes are in progress.