Robert Schumann

Symphonische Etüden, op. 13

1834–1836, revised 1852

The etudes exist in two finished versions. The first, published in 1837, includes twelve variations, which are described as études. The second, published in 1852, omits the third and ninth études; the rest of the set is broadly similar, with the most noticeable differences in the ninth variation and finale (previously the eleventh and twelfth études).

Although never approved by Schumann, it is very common to play from the second version, but including the omitted third and ninth études from the first version.

In his sketches for the first version, Schumann completed five further variations and the majority of a sixth further variation. These are sometimes incorporated into and played with the set.

Douze Études symphoniques (1837)	Études en forme de variations (1852)
Thème	Thema
Étude I	Variation I
Étude II	Variation II
Étude III	–
Étude IV	Variation III
Étude V	Variation IV
Étude VI	Variation V
Étude VII	Variation VI
Étude VIII	Variation VII
Étude IX	–
Étude X	Variation VIII
Étude XI	Variation IX
Étude XII	Finale

Recommended editions

Gesamtausgabe (Schott) · III/1/3 · RSA 1018 · ed. Damien Erhardt/Michael Beiche [both versions, including six additional variations]
Henle · HN 924 · Sämtliche Klavierwerke / Band III · ed. Ernst Herttrich [both versions, including six additional variations]
Henle · HN 925 · Sämtliche Klavierwerke / Band III · ed. Ernst Herttrich [both versions, including six additional variations]
Henle · HN 248 · ed. Ernst Herttrich [both versions, including six additional variations]

First version

The theme, by Ernestine von Fricken, is followed by twelve études.

Duration: 25'

Difficulty: 5

Second version

The theme, by Ernestine von Fricken, is followed by nine variations and a finale.

Duration: 23'

Difficulty: 5