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Schumann Cello

The collaboration between cellist Zoe Knighton and pianist Amir Farid continues with a collection of short works by Clara and Robert Schumann

Clara and Robert Schumann were the most celebrated music couple of the 19th century. They met as children when Robert was having piano lessons with Clara’s father, Friedrich Wieck. Wieck named his daughter “Clara”, meaning “brilliance”, and put everything into raising a virtuoso pianist. They married one day before her 21st birthday, together having eight children (one died in infancy).

Before their marriage she was the more famous performer. She nurtured Robert’s composition and promoted him. Giving first performances of Robert Schumann and their friend Johannes Brahms. Contrary to common belief, Clara did not abandon composition when she married Robert. The two of them composed side-by-side, sometimes publishing songs together, without specific attribution.

Believe it or not, Clara was one of, if not the first pianist to perform from memory. She earnt the majority of the money for the household and in fact, her compositions were more popular than Robert’s in her lifetime.

These three sets of songs on this CD were written in 1840 (the year of their marriage), 1844 and 1853 respectively. “I once believed that I possessed creative talent, but I have given up this idea; a woman must not desire to compose—there has never yet been one able to do it. Should I expect to be the one?”

Robert suffered an accident to one of his hands which confined him to composition. A fortuitous turn which meant he could completely focus on writing rather than performing. Well documented emotional torment plagued him for most
of his career with the exception of the first blissful year of marriage (1840) which resulted in no less than 138 songs.
The Three Fantasy Pieces, Op.73 were originally written for clarinet in 1849 and were representative of Robert having a more elastic view of how chamber works may be performed. The Five Pieces in Folk Style, Op. 102 was written one year later and represents rise in the German middle class and their appetite for house music, or music designed to be performed by amateurs in the home.

Robert died in 1856 after more than two years in a psychiatric hospital where it was advised Clara should not visit him.

Artists

Amir Farid

Pianist Amir Farid has been described as "a highly creative musician - a pianist of great intelligence and integrity. He brings strong musical substance to all that he does, imbuing it with his own particular experience and understanding", and who "in a well populated field...distinguishes himself for all the right reasons".

Zoe Knighton

Zoe is at the fore of a new generation of performer intent on forging an innovative path for the enjoyment of 'classical' music. She is a founding member of Flinders Quartet


Track Listing

    6 Lieder, Op. 13 Clara Schumann

  1. Ich stand in dunklen Träumen
  2. Sie liebten sich beide
  3. Liebeszauber
  4. Der Mond kommt still gegangen
  5. Ich hab’ in Deinem Auge
  6. Die stille Lotosblume

    7. 3 Gedichte aus Rückerts “Liebesfrühling”, Op.12 Clara Schumann

  7. Er ist gekommen in Sturm und Regen
  8. Liebst du um Schönheit
  9. Warum willst du and’re fragen?

    10. Sechs Lieder aus “Jucunde” von Hermann Rollet, Op. 23 Clara Schumann

  10. Was weinst du, Blümlein
  11. An einem lichten Morgen
  12. Geheimes Flüstern hier und dort
  13. Auf einem grünen Hügel
  14. Das ist ein Tag, der klingen mag
  15. O Lust, o Lust

    16. 6 Fantasy Pieces, Op. 73 Robert Schumann

  16. Zart und mit Ausdruck
  17. Lebhaft, leicht
  18. Rasch und mit Feuer

    19. Fünf Stücke imVolkston, Op. 102 Robert Schumann

  19. Mit Humor
  20. Langsam
  21. Nicht Schnell, mit viel Ton zu spielen
  22. Nicht zu rasch
  23. Stark und markirt

Performers

Composers

Clara Schumann

Robert Schumann

Robert Schumann was a German composer, aesthete and influential music critic. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most representative composers of the Romantic era.


Where to buy

Schumann Cello is available for download from the iTunes Music Store.
It's available for streaming through Spotify and Apple Music.

Schumann Cello is available as as CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer secure online ordering.

Move CDs can be ordered through music retailers across Australia including Readings.

Product details

List price
$25.00 AUD
Release date
September 2021
Copyright
© 2021 Move Records
Phonogram
℗ 2021 Move Records
Category
Classical
Catalogue number
MD 3461
Alternate catalogue number
MD3461
Barcode
EAN 9314574346121