Knight Rupert

“Knight Rupert” is from Robert Schumann’s “Album for the Young”. “Knight Rupert” is a form of “Knecht Ruprecht” — who is a companion of Saint Nicholas as described in the folklore of Germany.

He acts as a foil to the benevolent Christmas gift-bringer, threatening to thrash or abduct disobedient children. Ruprecht wears a black or brown robe with a pointed hood. He carries a long staff and a bag of ashes.

I thought Schumann’s spooky composition would lend itself to a 60’s guitar-rock instrumental setting.

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The Wild Horseman

Is it so far-fetched that the Shadows might have done an arrangement of “The Wild Horseman” (Wilder Reiter), from Robert Schumann’s Album for the Young (Album für die Jugend), Op. 68, which was composed in 1848 for his three daughters? Or that Hank Marvin would have played it on a baritone guitar? Well, maybe.

Just about anyone who took piano lessons for a few years has played this.