In 1853, Clara composed four Romances. She sent the first of these, the Romance in A minor, to Robert as a birthday present. Later, she compiled and published the first three pieces as "Three Romances", dedicating them to Brahms. These were her last numbered works for solo piano.

Although there are no common stylistic features running through the three pieces, they can be regarded as a kind of cycle due to the gradual increase in tempo: Andante, Allegretto, and Agitato.

No. 1 in A minor

The melody, which begins with the right hand playing in thirds, is beautiful and characteristically melancholic, typical of Clara. From this static section, the music moves to a dynamic middle section in F major. The rhythmic texture feels somewhat unstable, with the right hand's triplets combined with the left hand's quintuplets, among other elements. The triplets heard here reappear in the coda.

No. 2 in F major

This shortest of the three Romances, marked to be played "very softly" (sehr zart), features sixteenth notes and sixteenth rests as a consistent basic motif. The somewhat scherzo-like rhythm and colorful harmonies are the charm of this piece.

No. 3 in G minor

The restless sixteenth notes create an effect akin to a perpetuum mobile. Not only the right-hand melody but also the left-hand harmonic support wanders chromatically. This restlessness carries over into the slower middle section. Here, in addition to the chromatic progressions, suspensions are also effectively used, contributing to the overall unity of the work.