Schumann: Overture, Scherzo and Finale, Op.52

Introduction

The Overture, Scherzo and Finale (German: Ouverture, Scherzo und Finale) in E major is a work for symphony orchestra by Robert Schumann. It is his opus 52, and was written in 1841. Schumann originally considered it his second symphony.

The work is in three movements:

• An overture (Andante con moto in E minor - Allegro in E major and 2:2 time ) (sketched and completed in April 1841)
• A scherzo (Tempo: Vivo), in 6:8 time and in C♯ minor, whose theme is based on that of the overture. It has a trio section in D♭ major, in contrasting 2:4 time whose material reappears as the coda of the movement.
• Finale (Allegro molto vivace) (orchestrated around May 1841)

The Overture, Scherzo and Finale was received tepidly by critics, was revised in 1845 and published the next year, with a dedication to Johannes Verhulst.