Schumann Kreisleriana, Op. 16

Kreisleriana, Op. 16, is an eight-movement composition for solo piano by Schumann. Subtitled Phantasien für das Pianoforte, it was written in 1838 and dedicated to Frederic Chopin. A very dramatic work, it is considered to be one of Schumann's finest compositions. The work's is based on the character Johannes Kreisler, from the works of E.T.A. Hoffman. Mirroring the character's manic-depression -and recalling Florestan and Eusebius- each number of the work has wildly contrasting sections. Schumann used material from the eighth movement, "Schnell und spielend", for the fourth movement of his first symphony.