Oren Shevlin, the cellist on this recording, has been the principal cellist of the WDR Sinfonieorchester since 1998 and has won prizes at the International Paulo Cello Competition and the Rostropovich Cello Competition.
Compositional Technique
Schumann's Cello Concerto incorporates musical reminiscences of Felix Mendelssohn, including wind chords similar to those in Mendelssohn's overtures and a solo instrument entry akin to his Violin Concerto.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Schumann believed that 'The aesthetics of one art are the same in another: only the material is different,' guiding his ideal of musical poetry and literary references in his works.
Composer Biography
The year 1850 marked a new era for Robert Schumann, as he took on his first salaried leading role in a civic music institution in Düsseldorf and completed his exploration of musical genres.
Instruments
Oren Shevlin performs the Schumann Cello Concerto on this recording using a very rare John Frederick Lott cello from 1850.
Critical Reception
Schumann's D minor Symphony (the second 'valid' one composed in 1841) did not receive anticipated recognition at its premiere, partly overshadowed by performances by Clara Schumann and Franz Liszt.
Composition History
Robert Schumann composed his Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129, in just two weeks in October 1850.
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