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1843-44 - An Insecure Paradise

Donald Macleod asks how Schumann could find a way back to a healthy, happy, creative life again after a complete breakdown.

Donald Macleod asks how Schumann could find a way back to a healthy, happy, creative life again, after a complete breakdown

The 1840s was the decade when Robert and Clara Schumann’s married life began, and was the decade in which he established himself as a significant composer.

Donald Macleod looks at Robert’s life as he worked towards his biggest creation so far, Paradise and the Peri. Just as he realised this new project, his depression returned with a vengeance, developing into a complete breakdown. How could he possibly find a way back to a healthy, happy, creative life again?

Scenen aus Goethes Faust, WoO 3
Ouverture
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
Antoni Wit, conductor

Piano Quintet in E flat Major, Op 44 (2nd & 3rd mvts)
Fazıl Say, piano
Casal Quartet

Romanzen und Balladen IV, Op 64
No 2, Das verlassne Magdelein
No 3, Tragodie: II. Es fiel ein Reif in der Fruhlingsnacht
Mitsuko Shirai, mezzo-soprano
Hartmut Höll, piano

Das Paradies und die Peri, Op 50
Part III: Es fallt ein Tropfen aufs Land (Peri, Tenor, Chorus)
Magdaléna Hajóssyová, soprano
Eberhard Büchner, tenor
Leipzig Radio Choir
Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra
Wolf-Dieter Hauschild, conductor

String Quartet No 2 in F Major, Op 41, No 2 (1st & 4th mvts)
Takács Quartet

Produced by Iain Chambers

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Robert Schumann

    Scenes from Goethe's Faust (Overture)

    Orchestra: Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Antoni Wit.
    • NAXOS : 8.5724430-31.
    • NAXOS.
    • 1.
  • Robert Schumann

    Piano Quintet in E flat major, Op 44 (2nd and 3rd mvt)

    Performer: Fazil Say. Ensemble: Casals Quartet.
    • SOLO MUSICA : SM-340.
    • SOLO MUSICA.
    • 9.
  • Robert Schumann

    Romances and Ballads IV, Op 64 (No 2 and No 3)

    Performer: Hartmut Höll. Singer: Mitsuko Shirai.
    • CAPRICCIO : C-10445.
    • CAPRICCIO.
    • 21.
  • Robert Schumann

    Das Paradies und die Peri, Op 50 (excerpt)

    Singer: Magdaléna Hajóssyová. Singer: Eberhard Büchner. Choir: MDR Rundfunkchor Leipzig. Orchestra: MDR Sinfonieorchester. Conductor: Wolf-Dieter Hauschild.
    • BRILLIANT CLASSICS : 95306.
    • BRILLIANT CLASSICS.
    • 25.
  • Robert Schumann

    String Quartet No 2 in F major, Op 41, No 2 (1st and 4th mvt)

    Ensemble: Takács Quartet.
    • SWR : SWR10003.
    • SWR Digital.
    • 4.

Broadcasts

  • Wed 19 Oct 2022 12:00
  • Tue 16 Jul 2024 16:00

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