Shannon Merlino. Viola And Piano: The Schumanns, A Love Triangle
PROGRAM:

Robert Schumann: Marchenbilder

Johannes Brahms: Sonata, op. 120 no. 1

Clara Schumann: 3 Romances, op. 22

The love triangle between Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann, and Johannes Brahms was one for the ages. The young Clara Schumann, nee Wieck, was perhaps one of the greatest musical prodigies to ever live, both as pianist and composer, but because of her gender, her influence on the direction of Romantic-era music was subtle, soft, and yet still profound. In spite of her devoted and loving marriage to Robert Schumann, their dear friend Johannes Brahms was deeply in love with Clara and would remain so for his entire life. The music of both Brahms and Robert Schumann evoke Clara’s experimentation with harmony, melody, and narrative drama, and because of the intimate nature of sonatas, offers a glimpse of what they may have been thinking and feeling. Clara^s Romances, written for Joseph Joachim (who was close friends with everyone in the group), show this as well, and provide insight into how Clara^s musical personality might have influenced both Brahms and Robert Schumann. This recital explores the relationship between the three composers in an intimate setting not unlike how the three would have first performed these works.

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