The smuggler (Der Kontrabandiste) is a piece from Robert Schumann’s Spanisches Liederspiel op. 74. The transcription for piano solo was done by Carl Tausig, a Polish composer, pianist and arranger considered by some critics to be the greatest of Liszt’s pupils.
Here is the translation of the text that inspired the music:
The Smuggler
I am the smuggler,
And know well how to inspire respect;
I know how to defy everyone,
And I fear no one.
So let us be merry!
Who shall buy my silk and tobacco?
Truly, my little horse is tired,
I hurry, yes, hurry,
Otherwise the patrol will catch me,
And then things will go very badly!
Run, my merry horse,
Ah, my dear, good steed,
You know well how to carry me!
And now, here’s Yuja Wang to play the music:
