Turning the Tables
Donald Macleod focuses on signs of a decline in Schumann's mental and physical health, as well as the remarkable story of his Violin Concerto.
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 the composer, 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 programme, the composer develops an unhealthy interest in table-tapping and s茅ances, whilst also writing a Mass and a Requiem. Donald Macleod recounts the remarkable story of his Violin Concerto (unearthed, it is claimed, partly through psychic activity), and the Schumanns' successful tour of Holland, where they discovered that Robert's music was almost as well known as at home. Despite ominous signs of declining mental and physical health, the Holland tour will end with popular acclaim, and also a baffling question from the Queen of Holland: "And are you musical, too?"!
Mass, Op. 147 (Tota pulchra es, Maria; Offertorium)
Cologne Chamber Chorus
Peter Neumann, director
Violin Concerto in D minor
Christian Tetzlaff, violin
Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra
Paavo J盲rvi, conductor
M盲rchenerz盲hlungen, Op. 132 (movts 1 & 2)
Adrien Boisseau, viola
Pierre Genisson, clarinet
Gaspard Dehaene, piano
Introduction and Concert Allegro, Op. 134
Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Jan Lisiescki, piano
Antonio Pappano, conductor.
Last on
Music Played
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Robert Schumann
Mass in C minor Op 147 - Tota pulchra es, Maria
Choir: Cologne Chamber Chorus. Conductor: Peter Neumann.- MDG : 332 0598-2.
- MDG.
- 4.
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Robert Schumann
Concerto in D minor
Performer: Christian Tetzlaff. Orchestra: Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Paavo J盲rvi.- ONDINE : ODE-1195-2.
- ONDINE.
- 7.
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Edward Elgar
In the South Edward Elgar
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Georges Bizet
Carmen (Suite No. 2)
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Robert Schumann
Marchenerzahlungen Op132 (extract)
Performer: Adrien Boisseau. Performer: Gaspard Dehaene.- OEHMS Classics : OC1819.
- OEHMS Classics.
- 1.
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Robert Schumann
Introduction and allegro in D minor/major Op 134
Performer: Jan Lisiecki. Orchestra: Santa Cecilia Orchestra. Conductor: Sir Antonio Pappano.- DG 479 5327.
- Deutsche Grammophon.
- 6.
Broadcasts
- Thu 20 Apr 2017 12:00大象传媒 Radio 3
- Thu 20 Apr 2017 18:30大象传媒 Radio 3
- Thu 5 Apr 2018 12:00大象传媒 Radio 3
- Thu 16 May 2019 12:00大象传媒 Radio 3
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