Clara and the women
Donald Macleod meets the friends (and foes) of composer Clara Schumann. Today, we explore the women who are often erased from Clara's life story.
Clara Schumann is considered one of the most talented composer-pianists of the Romantic era. Put to work by her domineering father from an early age, as a touring performer she soon drew the admiration of her peers - and made friends who would remain important presences in her life until the end. As an adult, she spent several hours every day writing and replying to their letters. This week, Donald Macleod explores some of those relationships. Clara Schumann biographies are often dominated by stories of the men in her life - but Clara had many significant relationships with women also, though they are not as well recorded. Today, Donald explores how Clara鈥檚 attitude to her own gender evolved over the years.
Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 17
The Nash Ensemble
3 Lieder Op. 12
Olena Tokar, soprano
Igor Gryshyn, piano
6 Lieder, Op. 13
Barbara Bonney, soprano
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano
Lehmann, L: The Daisy-Chain
Catherine Wyn-Rogers, mezzo-soprano
Janice Watson, soprano
Steuart Bedford, piano
Toby Spence, tenor
Neal Davies, baritone
Produced by Alice McKee for 麻豆社 Audio Wales & West
On radio
Broadcast
- Fri 30 Oct 2026 16:00麻豆社 Radio 3
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