Clara and Brahms
Donald Macleod meets the friends (and foes) of composer Clara Schumann. Today, her mysteriously close relationship with Johannes Brahms.
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. Today, her mysteriously close relationship with Johannes Brahms, which has been the subject of much speculation...
Brahms: Wiegenlied, Op. 49 No. 4 (Lullaby)
Yo-Yo Ma, cello
Kathryn Stott, piano
Brahms: Piano Trio No. 2 in C Major, Op. 87: I. Allegro
Florestan Trio, chamber ensemble
Anthony Marwood, violin
Richard Lester, cello
Susan Tomes, piano
3 Romances, Op. 21
Susanne Grützmann, piano
Brahms: Serenade, Op. 11, arr. by Clara Schumann
Jozef De Beenhouwer, piano
Brahms: Serenade, Op. 16, arr. by Clara Schumann
Jozef De Beenhouwer, piano
Brahms: Vier ernste Gesänge, Op. 121
Matthias Goerne, baritone
Daniil Trifonov, piano
Produced by Alice McKee for BBC Audio Wales & West
On radio
More episodes
Previous
Broadcast
- Wed 28 Oct 202616:00BBC Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed – the box set
The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems
Composers A to Z
Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.
