"Kinderzenen" Op. 15 is a representative piano work of Robert Schumann (1810-1856) comprised of 13 short songs in total. The seventh song, "Troy Melai," is considered the most familiar song of all Schumann's works.
The work was written in 1838, before Schumann was married to his wife Clara and had children. Though titled "For Children", the work spells out the world of children from an adult point of view, and in that respect, is a piano study like the later "Album for the Young" Op. 68. It can be said that it was composed with a different intention than that collection. While technically it is relatively plain, it is a masterpiece that fully demonstrates Schumann's descriptive power and expressiveness in a score with extremely high musical content and artistic value.
Here I extracted the following five songs and arranged them for woodwind septet. Some parts might be omitted if so desired.

1. Von fremden Landern und Menschen
All songs are created from the melody's introductory motive.
Cl. 2 and either B. Cl. or B. Sax. Can be omitted.

2. Curiose Geschichte
Please give clear contrast between the lively introduction and the more legato section of the 9th measure.
Either Cl. 3 or T. Sax., and B. Cl. or B. Sax. can be omitted.

3. Hasche-Mann
The running-around Staccato melody vividly portrays children playing hide and seek.
Cl. 3 and either B. Cl. or B. Sax. can be omitted.

5. Gluckes genug
It is noteworthy that the treble melody is imitated by other voices.
No instruments can be omitted for this movment.

7. Traumerei
The title of the song is derived from the German "traum", or "dream", and the nuances that change as the melody is repeated should bring a dreamy effect.
Either Cl. 3 or T. Sax. and B. Cl. or B. Sax. can be omitted respectively.

Regarding tempo indications, the metronome symbols of the original piano score are often significantly different than the tempi currently used in general, so they have been restored by the arranger. In addition, the key of movements 1, 2, 3, and 5 is two steps lower than the original, while 7 is in the original key. In addition to improving performance functionality, we also intended a return to the same F major (from the 1st movement) for "Traumerei".
This woodwind septet was arranged in 2008 by commission of the Nishi Junior High School Band. It was premiered by their ensemble.

(Keiichi Kurokawa)