Robert Schumann (1810-1856)

Robert Schumann’s early training was focused towards his ambition to become a celebrated concert pianist, but a hand injury quickly put that career option out of reach. Schumann turned instead to composition and put all that piano study to good use, writing many important works for his own instrument. This week, Composer of the Week unpacks the moments in Schumann’s life when he was creating some of his most famous and notable piano works, including one of the most iconic Romantic pianos concertos of all time.

Music Featured:

So wahr die Sonne scheinet, Op 37 No 12 (from Zwölf Gedichte aus Liebesfrüling) Symphony in G minor, WoO 29 (Zwickau) Allegro in B minor, Op 8 Carnaval, Op 9 Kreisleriana, Op 16 No 8 (Schnell und spielend) Fantasy in C, Op 17 No 1 Drei Gesänge, Op 31 Kinderszenen, Op 15 Myrthen, Op 25 No 1 (Widmung) Symphony No 1 in B flat, Op 38 (Spring) (excerpt) Faschingsschwank aus Wien, Op 26 No 5 (Finale) Piano Quintet in E flat, Op 44 The Merry Peasant, Op 68 No 10 (from Album für die Jugend) Piano Concerto in A minor, Op 54 Symphony No 2 in C major, Op 61 (Scherzo) Piano Trio No 1 in D minor, Op 63 (excerpt) Manfred Overture, Op 115 Drei Fantasiestücke, Op 111 Missa Sacra in C minor, Op 147 (Gloria & Credo) Introduction and Allegro, Op 134

Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Luke Whitlock, for BBC Wales

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Robert Schumann (1810-1856) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000vy3d

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z