Programme Notes

Born in Germany, Schumann was a romantic composer, particularly known for his piano
music and songs (lieder). He often dedicated a lot of his work and compositions to his wife
Clara Schumann who was also a notable German composer, some of her music you will
hear today. Until 1840, Schumann wrote exclusively for the piano. Later, he composed
piano and orchestral works plus many Lieder. He composed four symphonies, one opera,
and other orchestral, choral, and chamber works. His best-known works include Carnaval,
Symphonic Studies, Kinderszenen, Kreisleriana, and the Fantasie in C. As part of our
programme today, we have selected a wide range of songs from various song cycles which
we believe show the various talents and abilities of Robert and Clara Schumann.

Dichterliebe (Op.48) (Poets Love)

Dichterliebe is a romantic journey with a woman who steals a man’s heart. It begins with
the two lost in love however, the woman turns away and breaks his heart. Throughout the
rest of the cycle, the man tries to cope with his loss, tormented by dreams, and
eventually comes to terms with it by metaphorically drowning his pain in a coffin thrown
into the sea.
Lieder und Gesänge, ii (Op.51)

Lieder und Gesänge was written in 1840 which was known as the ‘year of song’ in Schumann’s
life where he wrote over 130 songs that year. At this point in Schumann’s life he was exploring
the relationship between the voice and the piano hence the title ‘songs and singing’.

Myrthen (Op.25)
Published in October 1840 by Kistner, Myrthen, Op. 25, is dedicated to the composer's
wife, Clara Schumann. Myrthen, or myrtles, are European evergreen shrubs with white or
rosy flowers that are often used to make bridal wreaths. The 26 poems included were
presented to Clara on the occasion of their wedding.

Lieder-Album für die Jugend (Op.79)

Lieder-Album für die jungend (Song album for the young) was written during the civil strife of
May and June 1849. It contains 29 settings of various poets writing, either for or about
children.
Liederkreis (Op.39)

Liederkreis, Opus 39, is regarded as one of the great song cycles of the 19th century,
capturing, in essence, the Romantic experience of landscape.  Schumann wrote it starting
in May 1840, the year in which he wrote such a large number of lieder that it is known as
his "year of song" or Liederjahr.

Zwölf Gedichte von Justinus Kerner (Op.35)

This has been, until fairly recently, the least known of all the great Schumann song cycles.
This was the first cycle composed after Schumann wed Clara.