Schumann Op. 15, no. 4 Pleading Child (Bittendes Kind)
Unless you’re comfortable ending a piece on a V7 chord, you should continue immediately into Perfect Happiness when performing. We’ll never know what the child is pleading for (an extra scoop of ice cream; a new toy; a pony, perhaps?), but they certainly get it once the page turns. It bears mentioning that Schumann went on record that he came up with the descriptive names after the pieces were written. Speaking about someone’s mistaken idea of the work, Schumann wrote: “I suppose he thinks I visualize a crying child and then try to find the right notes. Just the opposite is the case.” I find this piece, with its cascading harmonies, a perfect example of how naturally much of Schumann’s music rests in the hands.