大象传媒

Donald Macleod follows Schumann through difficult times in a new city and the writing of his Three Fantasies for piano.

Robert Schumann made significant contributions as a composer to all musical genres, but he is best remembered today in particular for his piano music and songs. Schumann鈥檚 early career was focused towards becoming a concert pianist, but due to a hand injury he turned increasingly to composition where the piano frequently featured. Composer of the Week explores the life and music of Schumann, delving into specific periods when Schumann composed some of his most famous and notable works for the piano, including one of the most iconic romantic pianos concertos of all time.

With the prospect of a better position, Robert Schumann with his family moved to D眉sseldorf where he took up the post of music director of the orchestra and choir. Very soon things were not looking good for Schumann who wasn鈥檛 a natural communicator, and his relationship firstly with the choir, and then the orchestra plummeted over the next few years. Issues were heightened further by Schumann鈥檚 illness, and as time went on, the musicians soon lost all respect for their conductor. It was amid this stressful and highly charged period for Schumann that he composed his Three Fantasies for solo piano, and also his Introduction and Allegro for piano and orchestra, which was a gift to his wife Clara.

Manfred Overture, Op 115
Orchestra Mozart
Daniel Barenboim, conductor

Drei Fantasiest眉cke, Op 111
Volker Banfield, piano

Missa Sacra in C minor, Op 147 (Gloria & Credo)
Agnes Kovacs, soprano
Balthasar Neumann Choir
Balthasar Neumann Ensemble
Thomas Hengelbrock, director

Introduction and Allegro, Op 134
Murray Perahia, piano
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Claudio Abbado, conductor

Produced by Luke Whitlock, for 大象传媒 Wales