Schumann often used variations to make veiled allusions to his own life, particularly his intense relationships with women, such as Clara Wieck, his future wife.
Composer Biography
The 'Ghost Variations' were composed in February 1854, immediately preceding Schumann's suicide attempt, with Clara Schumann noting he believed spirits of Schubert and Mendelssohn sang the theme to him.
Compositional Technique
Schumann's Symphonic Etudes are among his most technically demanding piano works, sometimes requiring the performer to attempt the virtually impossible.
Compositional Technique
The theme for Schumann's Abegg Variations consists of just five notes, derived from the surname of his Heidelberg acquaintance Meta Abegg, whom he playfully dedicated the work to as 'Countess Pauline von Abegg'.
Performer Biography
Jimin Oh-Havenith, the pianist on this recording, studied with Jin-Woo Chung and Aloys Kontarsky, performed as a soloist and in a piano duo, and has recorded twelve solo CDs since 2013.
Composition History
Schumann's very first published composition was the Abegg Variations of 1830, and his last completed work was the 'Ghost Variations' from 1854.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Schumann's engagement with variation form was linked to the development of piano music and reflected his early aesthetic and poetic worldview.
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