R. Schumann: Liederkreis, Op. 39 & Dichterliebe, Op. 48
4/19/2019, 28 Tracks, 55:07
Featuring
Leszek Świdziński
Zofia Antes
Robert Schumann
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Performer Biography
Leszek Świdziński, the tenor on this recording, has performed in opera houses worldwide and sang at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in China.
Composition History
The year 1840 is known as Robert Schumann's 'year of song,' during which he composed nearly half of his vocal works, including the significant cycles Liederkreis, Op. 39 and Dichterliebe, Op. 48.
Performer Biography
Zofia Antes, the pianist on this recording, is a three-time winner of the National Piano Competition for Artistic Scholarships of the Fryderyk Chopin Society in Warsaw.
Composition History
Robert Schumann composed his song cycles, including those on this album, with his future wife Clara Wieck in mind, as their love was finally fulfilled in 1840.
Composer Biography
Before 1840, Robert Schumann primarily composed for solo piano, with 26 opuses dedicated to the instrument, and initially considered vocal compositions inferior to instrumental music.
Compositional Technique
In Liederkreis, Op. 39, Robert Schumann used a musical motif of e-b-e in the fifth song, 'Mondnacht,' which symbolically represents 'Ehe' (marriage) in German, reflecting his personal aspirations.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Robert Schumann's 'year of song' in 1840 marked a shift in his compositional focus, as he began to explore various musical genres beyond the piano, including orchestral and chamber ensembles.
