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Clara Schumann: Virtuoso, Composer and Inspiration

Clara Schumann: Virtuoso, Composer and Inspiration

Clara Wieck Schumann (1819-1896)

A brilliant concert pianist and talented composer in her own right, Clara also inspired such master composers as Robert Schuman, Johannes Brahms, Felix Mendelssohn and Franz Liszt. Explore the life and works of Clara Schumann as well the work of her contemporaries influenced by her teaching, editing and opinions. Various artists with a mini-lecture.

Liebst Du um Schönheit (If you love for beauty) by Clara Schumann
Sie liebten sich beide (They once loved each other)
Das Veilchen (The violet)

Christine Menschner, soprano
Jennifer Li, piano

Abegg Variations, Op. 1 by Robert Schumann

Jennifer Li, piano

Andante Espressivo from Sonata No. 3 in F-minor, Op. 5, No. 2 by Johannes Brahms

This movement begins with a poem by Otto Inkermann under the pseudonym C.O. Sternau
Der Abend dämmert, das Mondlicht scheint (Through evening’s shade, the pale moon gleams)
Da sind zwei Herzen in Liebe vereint (while rapt in love’s ecstatic dreams)
Und halten sich selig umfangen Sternau (Two hearts are fondly beating)

Valentina Rodov, piano

Er ist gekommen in Sturm und Regen (He came in storm and rain) by Clara Schumann
Mein Stern (My star)
Ihr Bildnes (Her portrait)

Clara and Robert Schumann

Amber Rose Johnson, soprano
Abigail Habegger, piano

3 Romances, Op.22 (transcribed for clarinet and piano) by Clara Schumann

Robert Wingert (guest artist), clarinet
Valentina Rodov, piano

Piano solos by Bach, Jobin, Moszkowski and Granados, songs by Bridge and Brahms

Olha Maria (Look Maria) by Tom Jobim (1927–1994)
Imagina (Imagine)

Praeludium in C minor, BWV 999 by JS Bach (1685-1750)
Praeludium in E minor, BWV 855a
Praeludium in G Major, BWV 902a
Praeambulum in D Minor, BWV 875a

From Études de Virtuosité Op. 72 by Moritz Moszkowski (1854–1925)
Etude in C Major, Opus 72 no.10
Etude in Db Major, Opus 72 no.12
Etude in Ab Major, Opus 72 no.11

From the Suite Goyescas by Enrique Granados (1867–1916)
Quejas, ó la Maja y el Ruiseñor (Laments, or The Maja and the Nightingale)
El Pelele (The Straw Man)

Geisa Dutra, piano

Zwei Gesänge für eine Altstimme mit Bratsche und Klavier, Opus 91 by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Gestillte Sehnsucht (Longing at rest)
Geistliches Wiegenlied (Sacred lullaby)

Three Songs for Medium Voice, Viola and Piano by Frank Bridge (1879-1941)
Far, far from each other
Where is it that our soul doth go?
Music when soft voices die

Gwen Trussler, mezzo-soprano
Carolyn Wyman, viola
Joan Lundquist, piano

Music for oboe by Widerkehr and Lombardo, Vocal music by Faure, Debussy, Bach & Handel

Duo for Oboe and Piano Jacques-Christian-Michel Widerkehr (1759-1823)
Allegro
Menuetto
Adagio sans lenteur
Allegro

Gail Perstein, oboe and Asta Vaicekonis, piano

Jesus soll mein erstes Wort  (Jesus should be my first word) from Kantate 171 by J.S. Bach
Automne  by Gabriel Faure
Il pleure dans mon coeur (It rains in my heart) by Claude Debussy
Il Neige (The snow)  by Herman Bemberg
Paysage sentimental (Sentimental journey) by Claude Debussy

Beth Ann Bonnecroy, soprano,  and Asta Vaicekonis, piano

Rhapsody for Oboe and Piano Mario Lombardo (1831-2012)

Gail Perstein, oboe and Asta Vaicekonis, piano

Three Irish Country Songs arr. by Rebecca Clarke
“I know my love”
“I know where I’m goin’”
“As I was goin’ to Ballynure”
Singe Seele, Gott zum Preise (Soul, sing praises to God) by G.F. Handel

Beth Ann Bonnecroy, soprano,  and Asta Vaicekonis, piano
Ingrid Fredrickson (guest artist), violin

Debussy Ariettes Oubliées, Beethoven Sonata No. 31, Mendelssohn Konzertstück for two clarinets

Sonata N. 31 Op. 110 Movement 1 and 2 by Ludwig van Beethoven

I. Moderato cantabile molto espressivo
II.  Allegro molto

Abigail Habegger, piano

Ariettes Oubliées (Forgotten Songs) by Claude Debussy

  1. C’est l’extase (It’s ecstasy)
  2. Il pleure dans mon cœur (It rains in my heart)
  3. L’ombre des arbres (The shadow of the trees)
  4. Paysages belges: Chevaux de bois (Belgian countryside: Wooden horses)
  5. Aquarelles: Green (Watercolors: green)
  6. Aquarelles: Spleen (Watercolors: spleen)

Kristen Swenson, soprano
Abigail Habegger, piano

 Konzertstück for two clarinets, Op 114 by Felix Mendelssohn
1st Movement (Allegro Agitato), Duo No. 2 by Bernhard Crusell (1775-1838)

Katie Beisel-Hollenbach and Julie Shankland, clarinets
Abigail Habegger, piano

Schumann’s Liederkreis, Op 39, music for cello and piano, by Haydn, Bloch, Debussy & Chopin

Liederkreis Op. 39 by Robert Schumann (1810-1856)

  1. In der Fremde (In foreign parts)Moonlit night
  2. Intermezzo (Intermezzo)
  3. Waldesgespräch (Conversation in the forest)
  4. Die Stille (The quiet woman)
  5. Mondnacht (Moonlit night)
  6. Schöne Fremde (Beautiful foreign land)
  7. Auf einer Burg (In a castle)
  8. In der Fremde (In foreign parts)
  9. Wehmut (Melancholy)
  10. Zwielicht (Twilight)
  11. Im Walde (In the woods)
  12. Frühlingsnacht (Spring night)

Regina Thomas, soprano and Johanna Mastenbrook, piano

Divertimento, transcribed by Gregor Piatigorsky, Adagio and Menuet by Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
Movement One, Cello Sonata by Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
Prayer by Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Polonaise Brilliante, Op. 3 by Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)

Erika Pierson, cello and Annie Center, piano