12 Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann (Von fremden Ländern und Menschen)

I didn’t learn “Von fremden Ländern” in a piano lesson or a concert hall, but rather as music in the 1979 film Der Mörder with Olschewski and Westernhagen. In this morbid thriller, Schumann’s music displayed an unbelievable force, and has been stuck in my head ever since. I wrote the 12 variations very quickly in 1988; they are my greatest ever composition, which continues to be remain close to my heart even today, and I have played it often, including at my entrance examination for the Hamburg College of Music in 1991. My pianist friend, Ronald Poelman, has also frequently played the piece at concerts. It is a great, romantic tribute to Schumann and his stroke of genius. I like all the variations, but particularly the first, seventh and last four.