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Schumann Moves to Dusseldorf

Donald Macleod looks at the impact on Schumann of becoming Dusseldorf's director of music.

It was an offer Robert Schumann only wished he could have refused. But lacking other job opportunities, the composer reluctantly accepted Dusseldorf's offer of the post of Director of Music, with responsibility not only for a semi-professional orchestra, but also for a choir. All this week Donald Macleod looks at Schumann's Dusseldorf years and the creative stimulus this move provided for Schumann, his triumphs as well as his many failures. In less than five years, Robert would write some third of his entire output, composing concertos, choral works and symphonies. Despite the composer's tragic illness, he lost none of his powers of invention, and was indeed on the brink of enjoying both popular as well as critical success.

In today's episode, Robert and Clara are feted with a grand reception and a concert of Robert's own music. Despite this promising beginning, there are already domestic problems: the familiar struggle to find suitable accommodation, away from barrel organs and other street noises. And already there are mutterings among the choir and some of the orchestra about Robert's abilities as a conductor and manager of people.

Genoveva Overture, Op.81
New York Philharmonic
Leonard Bernstein

Sechs Gedichte von Nikolaus Lenau, Op. 90 (Meine Rose; Requiem)
Peter Schreier, tenor
Normal Shetler, piano

Myrthen, Op.25 (Widmung; Die Lotosblume)
Barbara Bonney, soprano
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano

Das Paradies und die Peri, Op.50 (Part 2)
Monteverdi Choir
Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique
John Eliot Gardiner, conductor.

59 minutes

Last on

Mon 13 May 2019 12:00

Music Played

  • Robert Schumann

    Genoveva Op 81 - Overture

    Orchestra: New York Philharmonic. Conductor: Leonard Bernstein.
    • SONY CLASSICAL : SMK 47609.
    • SONY CLASSICAL.
    • 1.
  • Robert Schumann

    7 Songs Op 90 - Meine Rose

    Performer: Norman Shetler. Singer: Peter Schreier.
    • BERLIN CLASSICS : 0184062BC.
    • BERLIN CLASSICS.
    • 1.
  • Robert Schumann

    7 Songs Op 90 - Requiem

    Performer: Norman Shetler. Singer: Peter Schreier.
    • BERLIN CLASSICS : 0184062BC.
    • BERLIN CLASSICS.
    • 1.
  • Robert Schumann

    Myrthen Op 25 - Widmung

    Performer: Vladimir Ashkenazy. Singer: Barbara Bonney.
  • Robert Schumann

    Myrthen Op 25 - Die Lotosblume

    Performer: Vladimir Ashkenazy. Singer: Barbara Bonney.
  • Robert Schumann

    Das Paradies Und Die Peri Op 50

    Orchestra: Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique. Conductor: Sir John Eliot Gardiner. Choir: Monteverdi Choir.
    • ARCHIV : 457-662-2.
    • ARCHIV.
    • 14.
  • Robert Schumann

    Das Paradies und die Peri Op.50

    Orchestra: Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique.

Broadcasts

  • Mon 17 Apr 2017 12:00
  • Mon 17 Apr 2017 18:30
  • Mon 2 Apr 2018 12:00
  • Mon 13 May 2019 12:00

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