​Circle of Friends:
​Robert and Clara Schumann

 
Robert Schumann (1810-1856): Editor, writer, critic, composer
 
Clara Wieck Schumann (1819-1896):One of the greatest pianists of her day
 
Clara bore eight children, four of whom died before she did, and one son (Ludwig) who was institutionalized in an asylum
 
Repertoire
 
Clara Wieck Schumann (1819-1896)
Romance  in A minor
Piano Concerto in A minor
Lieder, dedicated to Robert: "Liebst  du un Schonheit"
                                                  "Die Gutte Nacht" and  "Warum WIllst Du?"
                                                    
 
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
         Carnival (“Chiariana” and “Chopin”)
Davidsbundlertanze (after a theme by Clara)
Dichterliebe song cycle
Frauenliebe und Leben
Piano Concerto in A minor, dedicated , performed  and popularized by Clara and Johannes Brahms
         Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood)
Violin Concerto- inspired by Schubert and Mendelssohn
 
 
Recommended Recordings:
Clara Schumann: The two CDs I most recommend of Clara’s works are the album of Lieder performed by Christina Hogman, soprano  and Roland Pontinen, piano (which also features works by Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel and Alma Mahler) and the album Clara Schumann: Piano Trio and Piano Concerto (Naxos), which gives a sense of what a brilliant composer- pianist she was.
 
Robert Schumann:      Piano Concerto in A minor
Other Works: Violin Concerto, Joshua Bell and the Cleveland Orchestra
Davisdbundlertanze Op.6 and Carnaval, Murray Perahia
Frauenleiben und Leben, Barbara Bonney and Vladimer Ashkenazy
 
Recommended reading:
The Letters of Robert Schumann
Schumann on Music: A Selection of Writings (Dover Press)
Clara Schumann: The Artist and the Woman, Nancy Reich
Johannes Brahms, Jan Swafford