kkjkkjSchumann pursued music at an early age, writing piano compositions while he was
still a school boy. Schumann wanted desperately to become a concert pianist, but gave
up on that dream when he permanently injured his hand in a device designed to stretch
and strenghthen his hands. He then turned to composition. Schumann is mostly
remembered today for his elegant , playful piano compositions such as Fantasiestucke
("Fantasy Pieces"). The "Fantasy Pieces" was written in a remarkably short period of
time. Only three days in 1849. Schumann originally conceived this for the clarinet but
the published score indicates
that either cello or violin would be a suitable substitute.