Even though the compositions that Robert Schumann wrote in 1850 were beginning to show signs of his mental deterioration, "Aufträge," Op. 77/5 (Messages), written in April of that year, demonstrates that he was still capable of placing immense technical demands on the accompanist in his songs. Possessing virtuosic vitality, the piece not only stretches the pianist's expertise, but it also demands facile articulation of the vocalist. Performed best in its original key of A major, this light, rapid, playful work is a very pleasant setting of Christian L'Egru's text. Its thrice-repeated vocal sections are supported by staccato beats in the left hand and cascading thirty-second notes in the right. The words tell of a young man's attempt to send tender messages of love to his sweetheart through a wave, a dove, and the moon. Unfortunately, this descriptive little tune is not very well-known, but is the most popularly recorded composition of Lieder und Gesänge, Vol. III, Op. 77.

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