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A celebrated arrival

Donald Macleod explores the whirlwind of activity which followed Schumann’s arrival in Dusseldorf.

Donald Macleod explores the whirlwind of activity which followed Schumann’s arrival in Dusseldorf.

Donald Macleod explores Robert Schumann’s years in Dusseldorf – 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 Wednesday’s episode, Donald explores Schumann’s slow journey to Dusseldorf and the celebrations which marked the family’s arrival in the city. Schumann’s hopes of success in his new post seemed initially to be well-founded as he set to work trying to impress and gain favour with his new Rhineland audiences and the city authorities.

Kinderszenen, Op.15 – no 7 Träumerei
Alfred Brendel, piano

Genovera, Op.81 – Overture
Gewandhausorchester
Riccardo Chailly, conductor

Sechs Gesange, Op.107 - no 6 Abendlied (Evening Song)
Anne Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano
Bengt Forsberg, piano

Schumann
Adventlied (excerpt)
Carolyn Sampson, soprano
Estonia Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Helsinki Baroque Orchestra
Aapo Hakkinen, conductor

Symphony no 3 in E-flat major, Op.97 ‘Rhenish’ – III. Nicht schnell
Accademia Bizantina
Ottavio Dantone, conductor

Mass in C minor, Op.147 - Gloria
Johan Hammarström, organ
Swedish Radio Choir
Kaspars Putniņš, conductor

Symphony no 4 in D minor, Op 120 – I. Ziemlich langsam - Lebhaft
Staatskapelle Dresden
Wolfgang Sawallisch, conductor

Produced by Sam Phillips for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Audio Wales & West

Release date:

59 minutes

Broadcast

  • Tomorrow 16:00

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