Schumann Piano
How difficult is the piano solo ‘Chiariana’ from Robert Schumann’s Carnaval Op. 9 No 11?
How technically and musically difficult is this piece? How long would I have to play the piano to be able to play this piece? I can play Schumann’s Traumerei and Phantaisiestucke Op 12 No 2 ‘Aufschwung’
As so often, a very sensible, practical suggestion from my good colleague Del.
As regards the cycle ‘Carnaval’ as a whole, like for example the Fantasie op.17, it demands the technique and musical insight of a *complete* player in every respect for anyone to stand a chance of pulling it off at all. As with any cycle, each element that makes up ‘Carnaval’ is completely dependent on the sense and context of both its predecessors and any successor(s) in the cycle. Playing any such segment, such as ‘Chiarina’, in isolation would be tantamount to being completely pointless, as well as musically incoherent.
It’s certainly a great ambition to bear in mind as a repertoire choice for the future — those are the things that stimulate and motivate us to keep applying ourselves while we study — but at the stage of learning you report yourself as being at present, ‘Carnaval’ is perhaps a step or two too far for you right now. Give it and yourself time, and the moment will come round somewhat further into the future, and you’ll relish it all the more for that, for you will then be quite ready to take your first ‘bite’ out of it, to realise it in the manner that it is meant to be played.
All the best, and good luck on the way there! 
Amir Katz plays Schumann Piano concerto op.54 a minor part 1
