Schumann Moves to Dusseldorf
Donald Macleod looks at the impact on Schumann of becoming Dusseldorf's director of music.
It was an offer Robert Schumann only wished he could have refused. But lacking other job opportunities, the composer reluctantly accepted Dusseldorf's offer of the post of Director of Music, with responsibility not only for a semi-professional orchestra, but also for a choir. All this week Donald Macleod looks at Schumann's Dusseldorf years and the creative stimulus this move provided for Schumann, his triumphs as well as his many failures. In less than five years, Robert would write some third of his entire output, composing concertos, choral works and symphonies. Despite the composer's tragic illness, he lost none of his powers of invention, and was indeed on the brink of enjoying both popular as well as critical success.
In today's episode, Robert and Clara are feted with a grand reception and a concert of Robert's own music. Despite this promising beginning, there are already domestic problems: the familiar struggle to find suitable accommodation, away from barrel organs and other street noises. And already there are mutterings among the choir and some of the orchestra about Robert's abilities as a conductor and manager of people.
Genoveva Overture, Op.81
New York Philharmonic
Leonard Bernstein
Sechs Gedichte von Nikolaus Lenau, Op. 90 (Meine Rose; Requiem)
Peter Schreier, tenor
Normal Shetler, piano
Myrthen, Op.25 (Widmung; Die Lotosblume)
Barbara Bonney, soprano
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano
Das Paradies und die Peri, Op.50 (Part 2)
Monteverdi Choir
Orchestre RΓ©volutionnaire et Romantique
John Eliot Gardiner, conductor.
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Music Played
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Robert Schumann
Genoveva Op 81 - Overture
Orchestra: New York Philharmonic. Conductor: Leonard Bernstein.- SONY CLASSICAL : SMK 47609.
- SONY CLASSICAL.
- 1.
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Robert Schumann
7 Songs Op 90 - Meine Rose
Performer: Norman Shetler. Singer: Peter Schreier.- BERLIN CLASSICS : 0184062BC.
- BERLIN CLASSICS.
- 1.
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Robert Schumann
7 Songs Op 90 - Requiem
Performer: Norman Shetler. Singer: Peter Schreier.- BERLIN CLASSICS : 0184062BC.
- BERLIN CLASSICS.
- 1.
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Robert Schumann
Myrthen Op 25 - Widmung
Performer: Vladimir Ashkenazy. Singer: Barbara Bonney. -
Robert Schumann
Myrthen Op 25 - Die Lotosblume
Performer: Vladimir Ashkenazy. Singer: Barbara Bonney. -
Robert Schumann
Das Paradies Und Die Peri Op 50
Orchestra: Orchestre RΓ©volutionnaire et Romantique. Conductor: Sir John Eliot Gardiner. Choir: Monteverdi Choir.- ARCHIV : 457-662-2.
- ARCHIV.
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Robert Schumann
Das Paradies und die Peri Op.50
Orchestra: Orchestre RΓ©volutionnaire et Romantique.
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