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Donald Macleod explores the life and music of the 'Valkyrie of the Piano', Teresa Carreño.

The 19th century was an exciting time for classical musicians. Urban centres across Europe and the New World were expanding rapidly, creating a profitable music circuit for touring performers – particularly if you had the talent and star-power to attract audiences in large numbers! A new breed of performer began to emerge: extraordinary virtuosos whose dazzling abilities made them into international sensations. Liszt, Chopin, Clara Schumann and Paganini are among the names best remembered today, but there were many others. This week, Donald Macleod explores the life and music of four more 19th-century ‘showstoppers’ who were equally celebrated in their day, and who also turned their talents to composing.

Venezuelan pianist Teresa Carreño was a formidable character. She was revered as the Lioness, the Empress, the Valkyrie of the piano, and lauded for the power and precision of her performances. Audiences loved her, including President Abraham Lincoln; she performed for him at the White House while still a child. However, Carreño sometimes struggled to balance her family life with her professional ambitions, and her complicated love life made her a magnet for the gossip columns.

Vals gayo
Clara Rodriguez, piano

Florence, Cantilène Op.34
Rosario Marciano, piano

Souvenirs de mon pays, Op. 10
Alexandra Oehler, piano

Le printemps, Op. 25
Clara Rodriguez, piano

String quartet in B minor: I. Allegro, II. Andante
Arriaga String Quartet

Elégie Op. 22, No. 6, ‘Plaintes au borde d'une tombe’
Alexandra Oehler, piano

Little Waltz ‘Mi Teresita’
Teresa Carreño, piano [Welte-Mignon piano roll recording]