Mahler & Schumann
Two married couples, but quite different marriages. Yet posterity should be grateful that these four people found time to write music amidst everything else.
About the concert
From the grand symphonic to intimate, brief songs. The full spectrum of the Mahlers' music perhaps also reflects their marriage.
The Schumanns are best known as prominent champions of piano music. Despite everything, they held just as firmly together in their private life.
One must be oneself. One must be together. This is the concert for those who want to discover two great names in composition, but four very different personalities.
Additional Content
Concert program
Robert Schumann: Märchenbilder
Robert Schumann: Märchenbilder, version for violin and piano, Op. 113 (1851)
- Nicht schnell
- Lebhaft
- Rasch
- Langsam
Robert presents us with four different fairy tale images, inviting us to create our own pictures. The titles suggest a musical character, but the creatures and settings are ours to imagine.
Performers:
- Alena Baeva, violin
- Sveinung Bjelland, piano
Alma Mahler and Gustav Mahler: Songs from a Marriage
Alma Mahler (1879–1964) / Gustav Mahler (1860–1911): Songs from a Marriage (1900–01)
- Gustav: Ich atmet einen linden Duft
- Alma: Bei dir ist es traut
- Gustav: Liebst du um Schönheit
- Alma: Laue Sommernacht
- Gustav: Blick mir nicht in die Lieder
- Alma: Die stille Stadt
- Gustav: Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen
The texts for Gustav Mahler's songs are by Friedrich Rückert, set to music by Mahler in 1901–1902. These songs are considered among his most intimate and restrained works.
Alma Mahler's songs offer a glimpse into a compositional talent that had to navigate the expectations of being a composer's wife. She destroyed many of her own works, and much was lost during World War II. Fortunately, several songs have survived and are now regarded as important contributions to the late Romantic Lied tradition.
Performers:
- Roderick Williams, baritone
- Sveinung Bjelland, piano
Clara Schumann: Piano Trio in G minor
Clara Schumann (1819–1896): Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 17 (1846)
- Allegro moderato
- Scherzo. Tempo di menuetto - Trio
- Andante
- Allegretto
Clara's only piano trio and regarded as her most accomplished chamber work. Premiered by Clara herself on January 15, 1847, at the height of her career as one of Europe's most celebrated pianists.
Performers:
- Johan Dalene, violin
- Victor Julien‑Laferrière, cello
- Isata Kanneh‑Mason, piano
Composers
Artists
Alena Baeva
Alena Baeva
Violin
Sveinung Bjelland
Sveinung Bjelland
Piano
Roderick Williams
Roderick Williams
Baritone
Johan Dalene
Johan Dalene
Violin
Victor Julien‑Laferrière
Victor Julien‑Laferrière
Cello
Isata Kanneh‑Mason
Isata Kanneh‑Mason
Piano