Und Ein Kuss Auf den Herz

"Robert's wedding gift to Clara turned out to be a present without parallel: Schumann wrote 26 songs and called them "Myrten", which means "Myrtles". They were published in four "Hefte" (books) and Schumann insisted his editor manufacture an edition as refined and beautiful as possible. There is some discussion as to the question of whether "Myrten" is a real song cycle. In my opinion I would say: yes, this is a cycle as much as a cycle can be. It is the kind of song cycle that holds one's attention without strain, by changing effortlessly from one theme to the other, with one main connecting theme: marriage."

Maurice Lammerts van Bueren