The choreography is based on the intentions of Robert Schumann's Fantasiestücke, Op. 12, which is a set of eight pieces for piano, written in 1837. Schumann composed the pieces with the characters Florestan and Eusebius in mind, representing the duality of his personality.

Shortly before Schumann’s marriage to Clara, he wrote a poem in which he identifies himself with ‘Florestan the wild’, and ‘Eusebius the mild’, urging Clara to take both together, thus uniting ‘joy’ and ‘sorrow’.

The piece is an interplay of solos, duets, and trios with Schumann represented throughout by the piano and the pianist.
In the choreographic interpretation of the piece there are 4 roles:
Robert Schumann as the pianist is always present, looking on and albeit neutral, through his music and presence and that of the piano, he is always an influence.
Clara Wieck is spectator and companion to Schumann and is the love interest for both Eusebius and Florestan who compete for her attention.
Eusebius the mild depicts the dreamer in Schumann - he is dreamy, fluid, languid, gentle and amorous: a mild, introvert, romantic.
Florestan the wild depicts Schumann’s passionate side – full of bravado he excels in presenting himself in this manner: wild, vain and an extrovert.

The staging for the choreography is tied to the music following Schumann's ideas on emotional value and content with titles for each section being Schumann's originals. They reflect the two sides of Schumann's personality - that of Eusebius the mild and Florestan the wild, each moving mostly within one half of the room whilst Clara flits undecidedly between the two and the piano and Schumann take centre stage.

The film shot at Childwickbury House is the home of the Kubrick family who are long standing personal friends. The paintings by Christiane Kubrick and Katharina Kubrick and the room within which this story is set greatly influenced the style and mood of the choreography and most notably Clara's character with the painting 'Helene in her Greenhouse' by Christiane.

The drawings of the floor plans show the staging, choreography movement patterns and entrances/exits for each character for all 8 sections.
1. Des Abends / In the Evening - Schumann at piano, Clara’s entrance, Eusebius solo
2. Aufschwung / Soaring - Schumann & Clara at piano, Florestan solo
3. Warum? / Why? - Schumann at piano, Eusebius & Clara duet
4. Grillen / Whims - Schumann at piano, Florestan & Clara duet
5. In der Nacht / In The Night - Schumann & Clara duet, Schumann solo
6. Fabel / Fable - Eusebius & Florestan duet
7. Traumes Wirren / Dreams Confusion's - Schumann at piano, Clara solo
8. Ende vom Lied / End of the Song - Schumann at piano, Eusebius, Florestan, Clara trio