Papillons

Set of short piano pieces by Robert Schumann, Op. 2. It has been suggested that this work might be a kind of preliminary sketch for Schumann's larger suite of piano pieces Carnaval. The finale of Papillons suggests the end of a ball in the early morning, with a clock striking six and a quotation of the Grossvatertanz (‘grandfather's dance’), which also appears in Carnaval. There is a further connection between the two works: the opening of Papillons is quoted in Carnaval's Florestan piece.

The first part of Op. 2 was composed (before Op. 1) in 1829, the end was composed in 1831.