Composed in 1842, Schumann's 'Year of Chamber Music,' following his 'Year of Song' (1840) and 'Year of Orchestra' (1841). It was composed after his three string quartets, which were his first works in the genre (excluding studies). Begun in the summer of 1842, it took just over three months to complete, finally being brought together in early November. It was premiered early the following year at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, with Clara at the piano. Among the audience at this time was Berlioz, who had previously shown a critical attitude towards German Romantic music, but he was reportedly deeply impressed by this work.

First Movement: Allegro brillante, E-flat major, 2/2 time

A sonata-form movement characterized by the contrast between the powerful and brilliant first subject and the gentle second subject, which utilizes the piano's timbre. The development section begins with the second subject.

Second Movement: In modo d'una marcia, un poco più lento, C minor, 2/2 time

A movement reminiscent of a funeral march. It can be regarded as a free rondo form. Following descending arpeggios played by the piano in unison in both hands, the first violin presents the march theme. The two subsidiary themes modulate to C major and F minor, respectively.

Third Movement: Scherzo, Molto vivace, E-flat major, 6/8 time

A scherzo that effectively employs scales moving up and down. It has two trios. The first trio modulates to G-flat major, and the second trio to A-flat minor.

Fourth Movement: Allegro ma non troppo, E-flat major, 2/2 time

A movement that concludes the work grandly with a different kind of power than the first subject of the first movement. It can be regarded as a free sonata form. The first subject is presented by the piano using a percussive technique, with both hands playing in unison. The gentle timbre of the viola is utilized in the second subject. The concluding section is written as a double fugue, bringing the movement to a close in an elevated atmosphere.