Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Event Details

The story of Clara and Robert is one of the most poignant musical romances in history. Before her 21st birthday, Clara Wieck was entrenched in a series of legal battles with her father to marry the composer and pianist Robert Schumann; a man she diligently nursed through various afflictions and illnesses later in life, whilst still maintaining her own international career as a concert pianist. One of the most prestigious and progressive musicians of the romantic era, she changed the very nature of piano recitals, reformed expectations of chamber music, and whose revolutionary ideas fostered two of the most prolific young musicians of the era – Joachim and Brahms. Her Piano Trio in G minor is a testament to her revered abilities as both composer and performer. This is accompanied by the exuberance of Robert Schumann’s Piano Quintet, which in itself is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of nineteenth century chamber music.

Program

Robert SCHUMANN | Märchenerzählungen (Fairy Tales) Op. 132
Natalie WILLIAMS | New work (Letters to Clara) - first performance (2018)
Clara SCHUMANN | Piano Trio in G minor Op. 17 (1846)
Robert SCHUMANN | Piano Quintet Op. 44 in E flat major (1842)

Featured non-Australian music: Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann

Further information for this event is available online at the event's website or by phone on (02) 9385 4874 or by email to australia.ensemble@unsw.edu.au

Featured Australian Works

Letters to Clara : suite for chamber septet (2018) by Natalie Williams — World premiere — performed by Australia Ensemble

Featured artists

• Performer Australia Ensemble