Drei Fantasiestücke in A, Op. 73

Robert Schumann wrote them over just two days in February 1849, and originally entitled them "Night Pieces" before settling on the title "Fantasy Pieces." The title is one Schumann was fond of, since he used it in several works. This poetic title promotes the fundamental Romantic notion that creative expression is the product of the artist's unrestricted imagination. In addition, the connotations of "fantasy" justify the sudden mood changes, which are a signature of so much of Schumann's music, and which reflect his emotions and mood swings. The pieces are like songs without words, or an instrumental song cycle.