Kapellmeister Kreisler, the ingenious and eccentric conductor created by E. T. A. Hoffmann, served as the inspiration for this composition of 1838. Schumann set out to recreate this fictitious character in music.

The result was “Kreisleriana”, a set of fantastical, at times scurrilous and always seemingly improvised pieces that directly reflect the romantic sensibility that Kreisler personifies. If ever music was demonic, it would have to be these eight superb piano fantasies that Schumann to...