Clara Schumann composed her Caprices en Forme de Valses in 1831, at the age of twelve. Though written by a child prodigy, these nine miniatures are far more than juvenilia. Each caprice, cast in triple meter, reimagines the waltz form with wit, charm, and surprising emotional depth. Instead of a traditional dance suite, the cycle unfolds like a sequence of character pieces—some light and frolicsome, others lyrical or mysterious. Their elegance and inventiveness already hint at Clara’s mature style: flowing melodies, delicate chromatic inflections, and an intuitive sense of pianistic colour.
Dedicated to a family friend and published in French, the set reflects the cosmopolitan flair of Clara’s early career as a touring virtuoso. Behind the playful surface lies a striking musical voice, shaped by rigorous training and vivid imagination. These caprices are ideal both as short recital encores and as a cohesive cycle that rewards closer listening.
An Urtext edition presents the music as faithfully as possible to the composer’s intentions. It is based on all available primary sources—first editions, autograph manuscripts, and reliable contemporary copies—and reproduces the musical text without arbitrary additions or editorial rewriting. At Felix Editions, editorial intervention is limited to the correction of obvious errors and is documented in the critical notes, ensuring historical accuracy together with practical clarity for performers.
For lesser-known composers, surviving sources are often exceptionally rare—sometimes only a single print or manuscript. Preparing an Urtext under such conditions requires careful reconstruction and cross-verification of fragmentary evidence. Our editions therefore combine scholarly rigour with curatorial work, making otherwise inaccessible music available in its most authentic form.
Each publication is produced to high standards of clarity, durability, and aesthetic refinement. Scores are printed on archival-grade, acid-free paper, chosen for its pleasant texture, natural colour, and stability over time.
Depending on page count, albums appear in two formats:
– Saddle-stitched for shorter works;
– Black wire binding for larger volumes, allowing pages to turn easily and remain open on the stand.
Every title is beautifully typeset to enhance both appearance and usability. Proportion and spacing are carefully balanced for legibility; page turns are planned so that, wherever possible, they avoid technically demanding passages. The result is a publication that is as pleasing to the eye as it is to play or read.
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