Clara Schumann and Her Circle

Donald Macleod meets the friends (and foes) of composer Clara Schumann.

Clara Schumann is considered one of the most talented composer-pianists of the Romantic era. Put to work by her domineering father from an early age, as a touring performer she soon drew the admiration of her peers - and made friends who would remain important presences in her life until the end. As an adult, she spent several hours every day writing and replying to their letters. This week, Donald Macleod explores some of those relationships: her husband and fellow composer Robert, who was entranced from the moment he first heard her play; her peer and fierce rival, Franz Liszt; her mysteriously close companion Johannes Brahms; composer Felix Mendelssohn and violinist Joseph Joachim, who supported her through difficult times; and the women who Clara influenced and was influenced by.

Music featured includes:
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 7: II. Romanze. Andante non troppo con grazia
4 Polonaises, Op. 1
3 Romances, Op. 11: III. Moderato
Robert Schumann: Études symphoniques, Op. 13
Clara and Robert Schumann: Zwölf Gedichte aus Liebesfrühling Op. 37 (excerpt)
Souvenir de Vienne, Op 9
Liszt: Hexaméron, Grandes variations de concert sur un thême des "Puritains", S654
Liszt: Sonata in B minor: I. Lento assai
Brahms: Wiegenlied, Op. 49 No. 4 (Lullaby)
Brahms: Piano Trio No. 2 in C Major, Op. 87: I. Allegro
3 Romances, Op. 21
Brahms: Serenade, Op. 16, arr. by Clara Schumann
Brahms: Vier ernste Gesänge, Op. 121
Mendelssohn: Songs without Words, Book 5 (6), Op. 62
3 Romances Op.22
3 Lieder Op. 12
6 Lieder, Op. 13
Lehmann, L: The Daisy-Chain
Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 17

Produced by Alice McKee for BBC Audio Wales & West

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 Clara Schumann and Her Circle: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m003437y

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