Robert Alexander Schumann was born in Zwickau in 1810 and died in Endenich in 1856, aged forty-six. He was one of the leading and most significant figures of the German Romantic School and made important contributions to the lieder, symphonic, chamber and solo piano repertoire.

Robert married Clara Wieck in 1840, after mcuh opposition from Clara's father, and she was a powerful advocate of her husband's music, performing his piano works to the end of her life. He often worked at speed and produced a vast body of music in such a short life.

Much of Robert Schumann's music is still at the heart of the lieder, chamber music and piano repertoire into the 21st-century.

12 Klavierstucke fur Kleine und grosse Kinder for piano duet (4 hands) was written in 1849. Abendlied (Evening Song) is the last of the twelve pieces and in the late 19th-century was arranged for many instruments including violin, piano trio, cello, string orchestra, piano, organ, flute and even cornet a pistons.

This exquisite and evocative miniature has been arranged for string orchestra by Johan Svendsen, also playable with string octet, and offers much for the professional, amateur or student string ensemble.