Max Reger's collection of piano pieces for children were composed in the spring of 1898 during a period of crisis in his life, but not published until some years later. They are dedicated to his mother-in-law, Auguste von Bagenski. Musically they follow the tradition established by Schumann in his 'Kinderszenen'.

In such a wide-ranging collection - there are 20 pieces in total, more than half an hour of music - there are bound to be personal preferences. This is one of the best, I think. 'Frohsinn' is cheerfulness (or happiness) and the music perfectly captures this. The idiom is Mozartian, and there is none of the harmonic eccentricity Reger is (in)famous for. But towards the end he does include some pointedly awkward piano writing (double notes embedded in semiquavers, one of his specialities). So not straightforward to play.

Interesting factoid: ABRSM occasionally use this piece for aural tests in their grade exams.

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