R. Schumann: Album for the Young, Op. 68 (Arr. A. Karttunen for String Trio)

Featuring

Ernst Kovacic
Steven Dann
Anssi Karttunen
Zebra Trio
Robert Schumann

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Composer's Artistic Vision

Schumann, who was fascinated by cryptography and hidden meanings, may have concealed additional layers of meaning within Album for the Young, similar to his use of 'Larve' (pupa/masked ball) symbolism in other works.

Compositional Technique

The Album for the Young is linked by a complex system of thematic relationships, primarily using the Bach chorale 'Freu' dich sehr, O meine Seele' from Cantata No. 32.

Interpretation

Anssi Karttunen, the cellist of the Zebra Trio, transcribed Schumann's Album for the Young for string trio to study the work in depth and share its hidden complexities with audiences.

Composition History

Robert Schumann's Album for the Young, Op. 68, initially began as a birthday gift for his daughter Marie, with the first five pieces written for her.

Performer Biography

The Zebra Trio, comprising Austrian violinist Ernst Kovacic, Canadian violist Steven Dann, and Finnish cellist Anssi Karttunen, combines familiar masterpieces with new works and transcriptions in their concerts.

Historical Context

Schumann composed Album for the Young during a period of financial difficulties for his family, the death of his son Emil, and the deaths of Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn.

Compositional Technique

The Album for the Young has a clear tonal structure, with the first part based around C major and the second around A major/minor, keys that were musical letters in his wife Clara's name and his own.