Fantasiesucke Op. 12,is a set of eight pieces for piano that was written by Schumann in 1837 and was inspired by the 1814 collection of novellas in Callots Manier by E. T. A. Hoffmann, one of Schumann’s favorite authors.
Schumann composed these pieces with the characters Florestan and Eusebius in mind, representing the duality of his personality. Eusebius depicting the dreamer in him and Florestan depicting his passionate side.
The work achieved rapid and widespread popularity with perhaps the greatest compliment coming from Franz Liszt, who excitedly wrote to the composer, “Your Fantasie pieces have captured my interest in an extraordinary way. I play them truly with delight, and Lord knows there are not many things of which I can say the same.”
Here is the music:
