This piece originates from Robert Schumann's 'Album für die Jugend' - a collection of 43 short works that were composed for his three daughters. The opus 68 'Album für die Jugend' is, unlike 'Kinderszenen', meant to be played by children, although the collection is divided in two parts - and the second is marked 'Für Erwachsenere', from no. 19, 'Kleine Romanze', onwards. 

'Wilder Reiter', or - as it is more commonly referred to, 'The Wild Horseman', is the eight piece of the collection. It is a short and easy, albeit wonderful piece due to its evocative, enthralling composition. It is essentially a lesson in staccato phrasing (one can really imagine the horseman trotting about), and teaches the pianist how to lead the cantabile with both hands, while accompanying with the other. The first section, where the melody is led by the right hand, is repeated. What follows is an intermezzo, if you will, where the left hand leads the melody - an inverse variation on the first section. The piece concludes with a third repetition of the first section. 

I am fascinated by the images that the piece conjures. Is the horseman clad in medieval armour, riding past you in a jousting roundabout? In measures 5 through 8 I deliberately retained some intensity in favour of conveying how the horseman has galloped past the listener (who is of course, stationary), and is making another pass. The second section, measures 9 through 16, seem to indicate the 'wild' in the horseman. Is he perhaps struggling to contain the horse, who has run amok? But then the first section is repeated, and the controlled, frivolous atmosphere reassures and consoles the listener. 

illustration: Géricault - 'Head of White Horse', ca. 1810, Musée du Louvre, Paris

R. Schumann - Wilder Reiter (The Wild Horseman) op. 68 no. 8 in A minor

Orchestra of Seattle Opera conducted by Asher Fisch, 2013.
Midway through the final act of Wagner’s RING cycle you’ll hear the orchestra play some of the most powerful music ever written, as the procession bearing the dead body of Siegfried leaves the stage.  

Illustration by Alexandre Serebriakoff from the Metropolitan Opera Guild’s 1939 story-book version of the RING. 

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Unknown album (07/07/2015 21:25:26)

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Estilo String Quartet is based in London and is one of the most celebrated groups performing commercially for weddings and events and concerts around the UK and abroad.  Our debut album Marriage in an Orange Grove was released on iTunes and through our shop in 2014.  We released four singles in 2015/2016 and all graced the iTunes Classical Chart Top 10.  We pride ourselves on our eclectic repertoire, energetic engaging performances and play in the best venues in London and the South.  We are Theo Paphitis' Small Business Sunday (#SBS) winners, Jacqueline Gold #MOM winners and often nominated in the Perfect Wedding Awards (Best Entertainment Category).

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Estilo String Quartet

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