Schumann 200

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Tue Jun 08, 2010 9:50 am

Robert Alexander Schumann

* 8.6.1810 - Zwickau
✝ 29.7.1856 - Bonn/Endenich

148 - Works published with Opus numbers
31 - Works published without Opus numbers

"Nur erst, wenn Dir die Form klar wird, wird Dir der Geist klar werden."
("Only first, when the form becomes clear to you, will your spirit become clear.")

--------

Big celebrations across Germany and the world today and this year to mark the great Tone-Poet's 200th anniversary... What are you doing today to celebrate the event?

josé echenique · Post by **josé echenique** » Tue Jun 08, 2010 10:58 am

200 years young and still in love.

I´m listening the symphonies with the Staatskapelle Dresden and Giuseppe Sinopoli.

Jack Kelso · Post by **Jack Kelso** » Tue Jun 08, 2010 12:08 pm

How right you are, Ken! Our Heidelberg/Mannheim area is packed with Schumann's music---live, t.v., radio. The "Mannheimer Morgan" newspaper called him "Letzter romantischer Universalist", including lots of recommendations of recordings, a brief bio and a summation of his importance as composer. Stefan M. Dettinger covered every aspect of the Master's output---songs, piano solo, chamber works, concerti, symphonic, dramatic/choral compositions. That surprised me (pleasantly!) a little.

Even the local plumber here, with no knowledge of art-music, knows who Schumann was.

Radio (SWR2) will be bringing from 1 thru 30 June many concerts, analyses and interviews with artists concerning his music.

We just finished a "Wunschkonzert", which my wife and I selected (secretly!) what we wanted to play and then planned it out. It included:

Part I: 'Cello Concerto in A Minor, op. 129.

Part II: Trio in D Minor, opus 63 (1st mvt) and Piano Quintet, op 44 (1st mvt).

Part III: Overture and incidental music to Byron's "Manfred", op. 115

Part IV: Symphony No. 4 in D Minor, op. 120 (DVD with Muti/BRSO, recorded with CD stereo sound from t.v. connected to our stereo set).

First I wanted to read what I knew you (and perhaps others) might have posted today. Now I'm going up to our "concert room" to conduct the Third Symphony, with the Zwickauer Philharmonie, a fine CD we bought when we visited Zwickau three years ago.

Enjoy whatever you choose to hear!

Tschüß,
Jack

stenka razin · Post by **stenka razin** » Tue Jun 08, 2010 12:17 pm

I juts finished listening to 'Kinderszenen' played by Horowitz at his last concert in Hamburg in 1987 on DG.

Happy B day, Robert. You will always be cherished by music lovers forever and ever.........

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Tue Jun 08, 2010 2:11 pm

I'm going to listen to the/his Paganini Variations...

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 7:19 am

For those of you who can understand German, here's a fantastic little Deutsche Welle segment about the concert here in Düsseldorf on Tuesday:

http://www.dw-world.de/popups/popup_sin ... 81,00.html

Christoph Eschenbach led the Düsseldorfer Symphoniker in the composer's Ouvertüre to the Braut von Messina, was joined by pianist Saleem Abboud Ashkar for the Piano Concerto, and rounded off the programme with the Second Symphony. It was indeed a wonderful concert---the second and last of Eschenbach's two concerts with the local orchestra at this year's Schumannfest.

RebLem · Post by **RebLem** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 11:43 am

I missed the anniversary on the 8th, but I am listening as I write to the Piano Quintet performed by Christian Zacharias and the Cherubini Quartet; later, I will listen to all 3 string quartets as well. I may also audition the Sawallisch set of the symphonies, which I have but which, like the quartet discs, has been sitting in one of my "to be listened to" boxes.

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 4:11 pm

I continue to keep chipping away at Schumann; my most recently listens have included:

Piano Concerto, Konzertstuck op 92 & op 134
Perahia/ Abbado (Sony)

Violin Concerto
Zehetmair/ Eschenbach (Warner)

Leiderkreis op.24, Dichterliebe op.48
Bostridge/ Drake (EMI)

Two different versions of the Cello Concerto will be up next.. and I must admit, Schumann grows on me with each listen..

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 4:27 pm

I listen to three recordings of Dichterliebe last night...Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Werner Gura and Aksel Schiotz...

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 5:06 pm

Which Fischer-Dieskau recording, Chalkie? If you've not yet heard the live take from the Salzburg Festival in 1956... Don't hesitate much longer to rush to YouTube and have a (free) listen---fantastic!

barney · Post by **barney** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 7:40 pm

I wrote an 800-word tribute on the day. I think he's among the greatest.

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 9:17 pm

Ken wrote:Which Fischer-Dieskau recording, Chalkie? If you've not yet heard the live take from the Salzburg Festival in 1956... Don't hesitate much longer to rush to YouTube and have a (free) listen---fantastic!

Actually, it was the live one from Nuremburg in 1992...I have the 1956 Salzburg concert as part of an 11CD Set on Orfeo...

Ted Quanrud · Post by **Ted Quanrud** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 10:19 pm

Now that the majors (EMI, DGG and Sony) have mined their archives and disgorged large, textless, noteless, translation-less, anniversary boxes, maybe more enterprising labels, such as Hyperion, cpo and Naxos, will provide new recordings of previously unrecorded or under-recording works by Schumann.

When I was putting together my Schumann anniversary program for our local public station, Lance suggested Schumann's etudes based on Beethoven's 7th Symphony. He was so enthusiastic about them that I very much wanted to hear them and program them. Unfortunately, the $50-plus Brilliant Classics box was not all that appealing and the only single CD of the work I could find had had such lousy reviews I was disinclined to spend the money.

Schumann has had bad press ("he was crazy," "he couldn't orchestrate," etc.). We need to hear everything, not just the acknowledged masterpieces, to get a fuller idea of Schumann's genius. I hope the anniversary year will provide the impetus for this.

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 4:35 am

Chalkperson wrote:
Ken wrote:Which Fischer-Dieskau recording, Chalkie? If you've not yet heard the live take from the Salzburg Festival in 1956... Don't hesitate much longer to rush to YouTube and have a (free) listen---fantastic!
Actually, it was the live one from Nuremburg in 1992...I have the 1956 Salzburg concert as part of an 11CD Set on Orfeo...

On CD I've only the recording with Eschenbach from the 70s, which has its own certain, more mature charm, but the Salzburg recording I find to be simply full of raw authenticity. I'd be interested to hear the recording from 1992... Right near the very end of his career?

val · Post by **val** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 4:53 am

Listened again last night Schumann's last works. The Variations are not very inspired, seem pale and emotionally empty ... I think that Brahms was right when he showed his opposition to the publication of this work, even if he used one of the themes for his own Variations opus 23.
But "Gesange der frühe" is different ... strange pieces, where the night is more present, obsessive, than the "sunrise" ... in the last piece, very quiet, the melody seems to dissolve itself into the silence ...

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:45 am

^ the power of the Geistervariationen comes not from its somewhat uninsipred musical content but from its story: the communication of the main theme from the ghost of Schubert, the fact that this theme was one that Schumann used at least twice before, the suicide attempt most likely halfway through the last variation (we know that he finished the fifth and final variation on the 28. May, one day after throwing himself in the Rhine; what's uncanny is the likelihood that we can pinpoint exactly where he left off and picked up again---on the manuscript the handwriting changes distinctly at the point where the droning bass note in the left hand cuts off and the music seems to wander away).

Then again, the piece is not without its musical intrigue. The points in the score where the theme seems to vaporize from something solid into gas...

mnmleung · Post by **mnmleung** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 8:12 am

My wife and I actually took out some Clara Schumann Lieder from the library and played through most of one book to pick some favourites... some of her Lieder were published with Robert's ...

Jack Kelso · Post by **Jack Kelso** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 9:32 am

Ken wrote:For those of you who can understand German, here's a fantastic little Deutsche Welle segment about the concert here in Düsseldorf on Tuesday:

http://www.dw-world.de/popups/popup_sin ... 81,00.html

Christoph Eschenbach led the Düsseldorfer Symphoniker in the composer's Ouvertüre to the Braut von Messina, was joined by pianist Saleem Abboud Ashkar for the Piano Concerto, and rounded off the programme with the Second Symphony. It was indeed a wonderful concert---the second and last of Eschenbach's two concerts with the local orchestra at this year's Schumannfest.

Ausgezeichnet, Ken! Vielen Dank.

And the "Braut von Messina" Overture is a beautiful work, containing lyrical poetry and drama. Such a shame that it's not heard very often! I have a radio recording with Eschenbach/RSO Stuttgart of the Second Symphony, taped over 20 years ago. Still sounds wonderful! Whether as pianist or conductor, Eschenbach has always had the "true feeling" for Schumann's music.

Tschüß,
Jack

Jack Kelso · Post by **Jack Kelso** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 9:34 am

barney wrote:I wrote an 800-word tribute on the day. I think he's among the greatest.

Yes, he is. Only not as popular as some.

Tschüß,
Jack

Jack Kelso · Post by **Jack Kelso** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 9:55 am

Just a quick note: as of tomorrow we're off to the Bavarian Forest (Pfronten) for eight days of wandering, food, drink and enjoying nature----so I'll check back here in CMG after the 22nd.

By then I'll probably be plenty hungry for music.....!!

Tschüß,
Jack

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 4:23 pm

^^^ have a great trip, Jack..

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 6:02 pm

Jared wrote:^^^ have a great trip, Jack..

Hit the Road, Jack...and, please come back...

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 6:18 pm

Jack Kelso wrote:Just a quick note: as of tomorrow we're off to the Bavarian Forest (Pfronten) for eight days of wandering, food, drink and enjoying nature----so I'll check back here in CMG after the 22nd.

By then I'll probably be plenty hungry for music.....!!

Tschüß,
Jack

I hope that you have a lovely break Jack, enjoy it and come back refreshed.

Jack Kelso · Post by **Jack Kelso** » Wed Jun 23, 2010 6:28 am

Thank you all for the nice wishes for our visit to Pfronten. It was great....but I ate too much.

Later this summer we want to travel by train to Braunschweig and visit Louis Spohr's birthhouse.

But back to Schumann: on one of our recorded programs from t.v., Christoph Eschenbach said in an interview that he feels Schumann's symphonies sound "perfectly fine" without tampering with the orchestration in the least, that this only drains them of their unique power and density. Many other leading masters of the baton feel the same way today.

Nonetheless, I "might" break down one day and buy the Chailly set in the Mahler versions---mainly out of curiosity. I heard only so far from this release the 1st mvt. of the Fourth on radio in the car....and it did not impress me at all.

Remember back to the 1950's/'60....when the Hamilton-Harty "modernized" versions of Handel's "Wassermusik" and "Feuerwerksmusik" was all the rage!? Why, you can't even find those relics anymore....! (I do, however, enjoy Stokowski's Bach transcriptions from time to time.)

Tschüß,
Jack

Jack Kelso · Post by **Jack Kelso** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 12:46 pm

I believe it's time to renew this---and I'm wondering why we haven't heard from Ken recently. I hope he is doing well in Düsseldorf......

Christoph Eschenbach, Paavo Jaervi and others have recently performed on t.v. Schumann's orchestral works. Other performances have included Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau interpreting the songs. We have recorded these.

Closer to home, Heidelberg is soon to produce "Der Rose Pilgerfahrt". This is another outstanding choral composition, whether in the two-piano version or the orchestral (also by Schumann). Radio has also been bringing much of his music, even unknown works.

We were able to obtain the 2-piano version of the "Der Rose Pilgerfahrt" in Zwickau three years ago----as well as local recordings of the Piano Concerto, op. 54 and the Third Symphony. Excellent renditions!!!

To ALL: enjoy a great Schumann year!

Tschüß,
Jack

StephenSutton · Post by **StephenSutton** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 5:10 pm

Quick plug - until the end of August we've discounted our 2 CDs of Schumann piano music played by Andreas Boyde on the Athene label:
Athene 23008 Carnaval, Op.9, Waldszenen, Op.82, Album für die Jugend, Op.68 "“… wonderful performance!” - BBC Music Magazine"
Athene 23023 Schumann:Variations on a theme by Schubert (completed by Andreas Boyde - premier recording)
Variations on a theme by Clara Wieck, op.5; Variations on a theme by Beethoven; Variations on an original theme
Brahms: Variations on a theme by Schumann, op.23 (transcribed for solo piano by Theodor Kirchner)

special price NOT in the shops or Amazon - only from us online or phone, $7.50 US, 5.00 pounds UK

Plug ends: we choose one or two discs every two months as 'special offers'

Post by **Lance** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 11:58 pm

Which ones, the Op. 3 or the Op. 10? I just gave a listen to the Op. 10 - and loved every moment. Also fairly new to my ears is Schumann's Gesänge der Frühe, Op. 133 with Alexander Lonquich in the EMI set [09047]. One wonders why this work is not played or is not known more?

Chalkperson wrote:I'm going to listen to the/his Paganini Variations...

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 7:15 am

Jack Kelso wrote:I believe it's time to renew this---and I'm wondering why we haven't heard from Ken recently. I hope he is doing well in Düsseldorf......

Thanks, Jack, for the notice---I've been very busy with my research lately and with several other administrative things (the paperwork in this country, as you know, can sometimes be overwhelming). That and I'm trying to spend as much time as possible this summer away from the computer when I don't need to use it for work reasons!

That all said, I thoroughly enjoyed this year's Schumannfest in the city and continue to celebrate the composer every day. Next major 'pilgrimage' is of course to his gravesite in Bonn on the 29th.

Jack Kelso · Post by **Jack Kelso** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 12:23 pm

Ken wrote:
Jack Kelso wrote:I believe it's time to renew this---and I'm wondering why we haven't heard from Ken recently. I hope he is doing well in Düsseldorf......
Thanks, Jack, for the notice---I've been very busy with my research lately and with several other administrative things (the paperwork in this country, as you know, can sometimes be overwhelming). That and I'm trying to spend as much time as possible this summer away from the computer when I don't need to use it for work reasons!

That all said, I thoroughly enjoyed this year's Schumannfest in the city and continue to celebrate the composer every day. Next major 'pilgrimage' is of course to his gravesite in Bonn on the 29th.

Yes, I was in Bonn in 1970 (primarily for Beethoven's 200th), but I managed a visit to Schumann's grave as well. It's a wonderful monument to see in person. I hope you feel the same when you view it.

Your next stop will no doubt be Zwickau. The Schumann Geburtshaus/Museum is fantastic! We loved it there......great food and drink, too....

Tschüß,
Jack

dulcinea · Post by **dulcinea** » Fri Jul 30, 2010 1:10 pm

What about the one opera that RAS wrote?

Jack Kelso · Post by **Jack Kelso** » Sun Aug 01, 2010 12:56 pm

dulcinea wrote:What about the one opera that RAS wrote?

"Genoveva" was primiered in Heidelberg a few years ago. It was a really moving, intense performance and all the soloists were excellent---as was the Heidelberger Philharmonie.

The Opernhaus was only about one quarter full. Opera fans are odd when it comes to attending performances of operas not quite in the standard repertoire!

We have Kurt Masur's recording.....and it's very good. I'm not normally a Masur fan......

Tschüß,
Jack

LSAmadeus · Post by **LSAmadeus** » Sun Aug 01, 2010 6:18 pm

Must dig out my Ashkenazy 'Bunte blatte' disk and put it on my mp3 player. Also his Rhenish symphony!

val · Post by **val** » Mon Aug 02, 2010 4:37 am

I listened last night the beautiful version of Frauenliebe und Leben and Liederkreis opus 39 by Sena Jurinac. Some of Schumann's supreme inspirations in the most pure interpretation I know.

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 8:24 am

Incidentally, Jack . . . one of my best mates on another board has a picture of Schumann for his av; and it isn't a problem ; )

Cheers,
~Karl

Jack Kelso · Post by **Jack Kelso** » Mon Aug 30, 2010 11:58 am

karlhenning wrote:Incidentally, Jack . . . one of my best mates on another board has a picture of Schumann for his av; and it isn't a problem ; )

Cheers,
~Karl

Sorry, Karl---it took me a few days to get back to you on this. Are you offering me a picture of Schumann? How do I understand "av".....?! Thanks!

Tschüß,
Jack

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Mon Aug 30, 2010 5:58 pm

Jack Kelso wrote:
karlhenning wrote:Incidentally, Jack . . . one of my best mates on another board has a picture of Schumann for his av; and it isn't a problem ; )

Cheers,
~Karl
Sorry, Karl---it took me a few days to get back to you on this. Are you offering me a picture of Schumann? How do I understand "av".....?! Thanks!

Tschüß,
Jack

He's talking about Avatar, it's that awful James Cameron Movie...

Jack Kelso · Post by **Jack Kelso** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 3:19 am

Chalkperson wrote:
Jack Kelso wrote:
karlhenning wrote:Incidentally, Jack . . . one of my best mates on another board has a picture of Schumann for his av; and it isn't a problem ; )

Cheers,
~Karl
Sorry, Karl---it took me a few days to get back to you on this. Are you offering me a picture of Schumann? How do I understand "av".....?! Thanks!

Tschüß,
Jack
He's talking about Avatar, it's that awful James Cameron Movie...

Yeah, Chalkie---we watched it. There were some okay moments in "Avatar", but we couldn't figure out what all the fuss was about....

There's far too much dependency on special effects in current film-making, IMHO.

Tschüß,
Jack

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 6:53 am

Chalkperson wrote:He's talking about Avatar, it's that awful James Cameron Movie... :lol:

Never saw it; never shall! ; )

Cheers,
~Karl

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 10:07 am

karlhenning wrote:
Chalkperson wrote:He's talking about Avatar, it's that awful James Cameron Movie...
Never saw it; never shall! ; )

Cheers,
~Karl

No need to, it's totally lame...

LSAmadeus · Post by **LSAmadeus** » Sat Dec 11, 2010 6:56 pm

Chalkperson wrote:
karlhenning wrote:
Chalkperson wrote:He's talking about Avatar, it's that awful James Cameron Movie...
Never saw it; never shall! ; )

Cheers,
~Karl
No need to, it's totally lame...

Disagree, enjoyable film. Looking forward to the sequels! The Eclipse saga on the other hand...

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Sun Dec 12, 2010 8:03 am

^^ not sure what this had to do with Schumann, but remind me never to accept an invitation to the cinema with you, LSA!

my fave film of 2010? Mike Leigh: Another Year

Schumann: I have just introduced myself to his works for Cello, and will be continuing my exploration into his music into 2011..

next up, more of his Piano Works, followed by String Quartet/ Quintet...

LSAmadeus · Post by **LSAmadeus** » Sun Dec 12, 2010 8:09 am

Jared wrote:^^ not sure what this had to do with Schumann, but remind me never to accept an invitation to the cinema with you, LSA!

my fave film of 2010? Mike Leigh: Another Year

Schumann: I have just introduced myself to his works for Cello, and will be continuing my exploration into his music into 2011..

next up, more of his Piano Works, followed by String Quartet/ Quintet...

What can I say- I like science fiction! Favourite film is 2001 a Space Odyssey. I also like the Alien films, Star Wars and Lord of the Rings! Too low brow for you?

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Sun Dec 12, 2010 8:16 am

Jared wrote:Schumann: I have just introduced myself to his works for Cello

Jared, can I ask what disc/s you are using to carry out this endeavour

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Sun Dec 12, 2010 8:52 am

bombasticDarren wrote:
Jared wrote:Schumann: I have just introduced myself to his works for Cello
Jared, can I ask what disc/s you are using to carry out this endeavour

try this little delight, Darren:

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Sun Dec 12, 2010 8:53 am

LSAmadeus wrote: Too low brow for you?

Avatar: Yes
2001: No

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Sun Dec 12, 2010 10:26 am

Jared wrote:
bombasticDarren wrote:
Jared wrote:Schumann: I have just introduced myself to his works for Cello
Jared, can I ask what disc/s you are using to carry out this endeavour
try this little delight, Darren:

Thanks, that might be one I try after the New Year

I notice Isserlis has a similarly themed set...

LSAmadeus · Post by **LSAmadeus** » Sun Dec 12, 2010 11:09 am

Jared wrote:
Avatar: Yes
2001: No

While it's certainly in a different class to 2001 its certainly watchable,and the sets are beautiful- even in 2D ( I can't ever see 3D and to me its a overused gimmick)

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Sun Dec 12, 2010 5:43 pm

LSAmadeus wrote:
Jared wrote:
Avatar: Yes
2001: No
While it's certainly in a different class to 2001 its certainly watchable,and the sets are beautiful- even in 2D ( I can't ever see 3D and to me its a overused gimmick)

The plot is so basic a monkey could have written it...of course in 2001 said monkey is integral to the film...they were ballet dancers BTW...

LSAmadeus · Post by **LSAmadeus** » Sun Dec 12, 2010 6:34 pm

Chalkperson wrote:
LSAmadeus wrote:
Jared wrote:
Avatar: Yes
2001: No
While it's certainly in a different class to 2001 its certainly watchable,and the sets are beautiful- even in 2D ( I can't ever see 3D and to me its a overused gimmick)
The plot is so basic a monkey could have written it...of course in 2001 said monkey is integral to the film...they were ballet dancers BTW...

Ballet dancers?
_______________________________________
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Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Sun Dec 12, 2010 10:16 pm

LSAmadeus wrote:
Chalkperson wrote:
LSAmadeus wrote:
Jared wrote:
Avatar: Yes
2001: No
While it's certainly in a different class to 2001 its certainly watchable,and the sets are beautiful- even in 2D ( I can't ever see 3D and to me its a overused gimmick)
The plot is so basic a monkey could have written it...of course in 2001 said monkey is integral to the film...they were ballet dancers BTW...
Ballet dancers?

Yes, Kubrick was unhappy with the kind of creatures his effects people were coming up with, they did not fully portray the reality of the Apes, so he looked around and found a number of Ballet Dancers that were able to interpret the movement of the Apes much more convincingly...

To quote Michael Caine, "not a lot of people know that"...

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