In 1850 Robert Schumann collected some of his discarded music and rearranged some of it to come up with the compositions titled “Bunte Blätter”and the Albumblatter. Although fine works, they don’t and will never attain the popularity of his current “hits”. What’s missing? To get to that answer, I think it’s mandatory to have a good idea of what’s so great about his best piano works.
Melodic inspiration is certainly a factor, and a prime example is the Piano Concerto which certainly didn’t reach great popularity based on structural considerations. It’s the melodies and flow which generate the love of the work.
See what you think as you listen to the great pianist Grigory Sokolov, as he plays this music for you:
