Pianists in the Diamond: Saleem Ashkar (IL/PS) – Schumann and his life
Pianist Saleem Ashkar once again puts the artistic couple Clara and Robert Schumann in focus, this evening on solo piano!
Programme
Robert Schumann (1810-1856): Fantasia in C, op. 17
David Robert Coleman (1969-): "Schumann"
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op. 5
Tonight's concert is the second of two concerts that shed light on the world of Robert Schumann. This time, the focus is on the musical and personal dynamics between Robert Schumann and his wife, the pianist and composer Clara Schumann, and their relationship with Brahms, among others.
Also on the programme is a new work by American David Coleman, who is both inspired by and quotes Schumann.
Robert Schumann's Fantasia in C major, composed in 1836 and published in 1839, was written to mark Beethoven's 65th birthday. The work contains quotes from and references to Beethoven, including a reference to his Seventh Symphony that no musicologist has yet been able to find! The work is written in Beethoven's honour and dedicated to Liszt, but it is not least a declaration of love to Robert's beloved Clara, who would become his wife four years later. In 1836, the two had been tragically separated by her father, who opposed their relationship, and there are longing allusions and hidden love motifs in the music, for example in the use of Beethoven's An die ferne Geliebte (To the Distant Beloved).
The Piano Sonata by Johannes Brahms was written in 1853, the same year that Robert Schumann, in his own journal, proclaimed Brahms as the young saviour of music in a high-pitched, enthusiastic, even prophetic article. During this period, Brahms became very close friends with the Schumann couple, and even ended up moving into the couple's home to help Clara with the household when Robert was admitted to a sanatorium in 1854 after a suicide attempt. The sonata is Brahms's most extensive piano work, and, like Schumann's imagination, quotes the great source of inspiration: Beethoven. Perhaps you will recognise the iconic rhythm (three short notes followed by one long one) from the Fate Symphony.
Participants
Saleem Ashkar
Pianist Saleem Ashkar made his Carnegie Hall debut at the age of 22 and has since established a major international career. He has played with orchestras all over the world, including the Vienna Philharmonic and the Copenhagen Phil. He is particularly known as a Beethoven specialist, having published Beethoven's complete piano sonatas. He is also a professor of piano and head of the piano programme at Brown University.
Part of the series Pianists in the Diamond
Photo: Laura Stamer
A handful of times a year we let the best pianists of the time get their hands on The Black Diamond's grand concert piano for a solo concert.
The event is part of the series Pianists in the Diamond.
Pianists in the Diamond are supported by the Beckett Foundation.
