This monumental work began as a tribute to Beethoven and ended up being a testimonial to Robert Schumann's love for Clara Wieck.

The work was originally called a sonata and features many elements of this form which Beethoven so ingeniously transformed. It is also permeated with references to Clara with such motives as the falling five note theme and key relationships separated by a third, both of which represent the five letters in Clara's name and the falling figure C-A.

The coda intertwines Beethoven's influence and Schumann's passion for Clara by quoting Beethoven's setting of his lied, An die ferne Geliebte - To the Distant Beloved.

This is the first of 3 movements.

Performed live.