麻豆社

Donald Macleod explores the first signs that Robert Schumann's tenure in Dusseldorf might not go as smoothly as he had thought, as the composer鈥檚 conducting comes under scrutiny.

Donald Macleod explores Robert Schumann鈥檚 years in Dusseldorf 鈥� the city where he would spend the final years of his life. Despite often being portrayed as a creative disaster, during this period Schumann was greatly inspired by the city and by the countryside which surrounded it, and would write some of his greatest music.

In today鈥檚 programme, Donald explores the first signs of trouble for Robert Schumann in Dusseldorf as the composer鈥檚 conducting comes under scrutiny, and his quarrels with city officials and his own assistant lead to unrest. He begins to wonder whether his tenure in the city might not be the success he initially thought, just as visible signs of illness come to haunt him. However, away from Dusseldorf, he is still lauded with praise. Donald also recounts Schumann's fractious evening with the visiting virtuoso pianist and composer Franz Liszt.

Symphony no 3 in E flat, Op.97 鈥淩henish鈥� 鈥� IV. Feierlich
Staatskapelle Berlin
Daniel Barenboim, conductor

Manfred Overture, Op.115
Swedish Chamber Orchestra
Thomas Dausgaard, conductor

Cello Concerto in A minor, Op 129
Jean-Guihen Queyras, cello
Freiburger Barockorchester
Pablo Heras-Casado, conductor

Violin Sonata No. 1 in A minor, Op. 105 鈥� II. Lebhaft
Isabelle Faust, violin
Silke Avenhaus, piano

Der Rose Pilgerfahrt, Op.112 鈥� Die Fruhlingslufte bringen
Inga Nielsen, soprano
Annemarie Moller, mezzo-soprano
Deon van der Walt, tenor
Christian Christiansen, bass
Danish National Symphony Orchestra and Radio Choir
Gustav Kahn, conductor

Produced by Sam Phillips for 麻豆社 Audio Wales & West