Dedication

to Frau Majorin F. Serre auf Maxen

Although in the eyes of some musicologists Blumenstück (Flower Piece) is a minor work, it is nevertheless a sentimental composition full of smiles and intimate charm. In 1839, while Clara Wieck was in Paris, Schumann remained in Vienna. After several unfruitful weeks his inspiration returned with renewed vigour and the Arabeske, Blumenstück, the final movement of the G minor Sonata and Humoreske all flowed from his pen. On 11 March that year, Schumann wrote to clara, "I am so deeply in love with you that I think of you with such love as I have never known before. The whole week long I sat at the piano and composed and wrote and laughed and wept. all at once". Schumann knew that his love affair with Clara was close to fulfilment, and Blumenstück is, despite its great simplicity, a mirror held up to their intimate happiness and that moment of inner peace that was to be so rare for the composer.