Classical Music | Music for Duo

Recorded on 03/01/2017, uploaded on 11/02/2017

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Drei Romanzen, Op. 22 for Clarinet and Piano: I, Andante molt0     Clara  Schumann, arr. by Charles Neidich

Clara Schumann, wife of Robert Schumann and the most prolific female pianist of the Romantic era, once said that “women are not born to compose”. Despite this statement, and the social expectations of the mid-19^th century, we are fortunate to have this set of pieces. 

The Three Romances, Op. 22 were composed in 1853 as one of the last pieces Clara ever composed and consist of three movements. The first romance has an inner passion full of pathos despite the movement’s seemingly calm nature. This is portrayed by the elusive groupings of the notes within the triple meter, a technique reminiscent of works by Johannes Brahms. The second romance is more pensive with hints of playfulness. The finale romance, with its rippling arpeggios in the piano part, is exuberant in spirit, and reminds the listener of the finale of her husband’s works such as the Adagio and Allegro or the Fantasiestücke, Op. 73.        Notes by Misuzu Tanaka

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.