“Do you not know Jean Paul, our great writer? I have learnt more counterpoint from him than from my music teacher”. His “Vorschule der Ästhetik” with its extensive treatment of humour probably occasioned Schumann to think of giving a piano work the title “Humoreske” – thus giving birth to a new musical genre.
The “romantic humour” is not, however, aimed at humour in a modern sense of the word, but rather at a portrayal of the fragility and contradictory nature of the human condition. As if in a kaleidoscope, Schumann juxtaposes the most diverse elements of form and moods. Ernst Herttrich’s revision reflects the latest scholarly findings for this unusual work.