Valses Romantiques

Clara Schumann’s Valses Romantiques, Op. 4, composed in 1835, transform the waltz into a flowing, interconnected piano cycle. The work combines lyrical grace with subtle harmonic movement, offering a refined introduction to Clara’s early style. This Felix Editions score presents the music in a clean, practical format for pianists who want more than a scan or casual reprint.

About this edition

This edition is designed for use at the piano: newly engraved, clearly spaced, and prepared with the needs of players, teachers and students in mind. It forms part of Felix Editions’ work on Clara Schumann’s early piano music, placing this compact waltz cycle within the broader context of her teenage compositions.

The score is intended as a practical working edition: readable, attractive, and suitable for study, teaching, private repertoire exploration, or recital use.

The music

The Valses Romantiques are not a conventional set of separate ballroom dances. They unfold as a continuous sequence, closer to a poetic cycle than to a simple waltz collection. The music alternates between light-hearted elegance and gentle introspection, with melodic freshness, harmonic nuance and a strong sense of phrasing.

The first waltz attracted Robert Schumann’s attention and was later quoted in his Carnaval, Op. 9, where Clara appears as “Chiarina”. This gives the work a particular place within the musical dialogue around Clara and Robert Schumann, while the piece itself remains valuable on its own terms: graceful, concise, and rewarding for pianists attentive to rubato, voicing and understated expression.

Who is it for?

This edition is well suited to advanced amateur pianists, conservatoire students, teachers and repertoire-minded performers looking for early Romantic piano music beyond the most familiar names. The work is especially useful for pianists who want to explore Clara Schumann’s style through a piece that is technically approachable but musically refined.

Teachers may find it valuable for students working on Romantic phrasing, waltz rhythm, cantabile playing and tonal shading. Collectors and repertoire researchers will also appreciate its connection with Clara Schumann’s early output and with the Schumann circle more broadly.