A work composed by Schumann at the age of 22. His Op. 1 piano work, Papillons, had been published the previous year. Schumann's diaries indicate that he continued to refine this work from April to July. The score for this work was published in Leipzig in the autumn of 1833, the year following its composition. It is dedicated to the composer Kalivoda.

No. 1: Allegro quasi maestoso, A major, 3/4 time

The piece begins with a four-note motif. This motif is derived from the musical transliteration of the name of Agnes, Schumann's first love (who was a married woman): A-G(sharp)-[N]-E-E-flat[S]. The middle section evokes the yearning, dreamlike period of this unfulfilled first love. Throughout the piece, many characteristic Schumann techniques are evident, such as the contrast between long and short phrases and the layering of canonic writing.

No. 2: Presto a capriccio, E minor, 6/8 time

This piece begins with the hands in unison. The middle section is inscribed with a quotation from Goethe's Faust: "My peace is gone." Incidentally, the aforementioned Agnes from No. 1 sang Schubert's song Gretchen am Spinnrade (Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel), which Schumann's "beloved Schubert" composed based on Faust, with Schumann accompanying her at the age of 18.

No. 3: Allegro marcato, A minor, 3/4 time

In this piece, Agnes appears as the four notes "A-G-sharp-E-D-sharp." It combines intensity and vivacity, conveying a sense of youthfulness. The exquisite transitions of chords create a profound harmony.

No. 4: Allegro semplice, C major, 12/8 time

This is a relatively small-scale piece within the collection. It makes extensive use of chords, with repeated notes and fine chromatic movements of small note values appearing in places. From measures 7 to 8, a passage from the Piano Quartet, composed in the same year as this set of Intermezzi, can be heard.

No. 5: Allegro moderato, D minor, 3/4 time

Polyphonically written sections are juxtaposed with sections where the hands play in unison and homophonic passages. The middle section is characterized by canonic writing. Schumann wrote the following about this piece in his diary entry dated July 13: "My beloved fifth Intermezzo. My whole heart is in it. To this piece, born of an inexpressible love."

No. 6: Allegro, B minor, 3/4 time

It begins with the hands in unison. Sections with arpeggiated chords accompanying large phrases are also observed. The beginning of this piece is not attacca from the preceding No. 5. This suggests that mental and physical preparation is required for its commencement.

This set of Intermezzi is instructed to be performed attacca from No. 3 to No. 5.