Schumann's Fantasy

His Fantasy is definitely a complete "rip". In other words, " (if I was a stuck-up british dude with that accent) . . .this large-scale composition is a peak in the piano literature. Schumann's poetic depth is the key to the emotions that reign in this work." Like I said, a rip. For Schumann it is quite a large work and in fact I think he did an amazing job of not making it empty. There is so much to listen to in the performance of the work. Right off the bat, there is that left hand. . . I mean what is that left hand doing? Who cares it sounds great! Anyways, after the opening melody that seems to get to the depths of your ANIMA. . .it really does. . .at least for me, after that the second theme pops in and boy is it nice. Overall I feel like the piece continues on this really solid track and never derails, well unless the pianist forgot to practice the coda of the second mvmt. That could become quite the train-wreak. This is definitely Schumann's musical Mona Lisa, the interesting thing to me is that this is his Op. 17. . .wait a minute. . .op. 17?. . .unfortunately, after this work he only has 3 or 4 more piano works that are noteworthy, but still, nothing like this. This is the perfect piece for a rainy day. . .forget Chopin and his preludes. . .this is the real deal.