An Invitation at the Schumanns'

by Trio Dichter, Theotime Langlois de Swarte, Hanna Salzenstein, Fiona Mato

Overview

Various releases prior to this one have explored the mid-19th century context surrounding the music of Robert and Clara Schumann. Few, however, go as granular as this one, which presents an evening musicale that, for the most part, might have been heard at the home of Robert and Clara toward the last years of the former's active life. The instruments played by the Trio Dichter are more or less authentic; violinist Theotime Langlois de Swarte and cellist Hanna Salzenstein use gut strings, while the ca. 1890 Boesendorfer piano of Fiona Mato, although not precisely congruent chronologically with the hypothetical event, arguably presents an idealized version of the pianos the Schumanns would have heard and owned. Best of all is the program, which situates a wide swath of both Schumanns' music in a domestic context, where they would have heard and performed various kinds of works. There are Bach and Alessandro Scarlatti, whose influence on these composers is still underestimated. There is the folklore impulse, reflected in one of Robert Schumann's Fuenf Stuecke im Volkston, Op. 102, and in one of the 49 Deutsche Volkslieder, WoO 33, of the newcomer, the young Brahms, published later but begun around this time. There is Mendelssohn, along with two new faces on the scene, Niels Gade and Theodor Kirchner. Brahms is also represented by the Wiegenlied, Op. 49, No. 4, whose exponents include Joni James and Kenny G, but which isn't right chronologically here, although it works musically to wind the program down; it might have been better to include one of the works of the young Brahms who made such an impression on both Schumanns. The sound in the brittle Cite de la Musique concert hall is also problematic, but the historical performances of the various pieces by the Schumanns themselves are very attractive, and the program, as a whole, fits together in an unusually satisfying way. This release can be recommended to those interested in the Schumann milieu, and it casts a new light on the music of the Schumanns that is important for anyone. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	08/25/2023
Label:	HARMONIA MUNDI
UPC:	3149020947258

Tracks

1. 3 Romances, Op. 22/1. Andante molto
2. Myrthen, Op. 25/1. Widmung
3. Soirées musicales, Op. 6~No. 2. Notturno
4. Piano Trio No. 2 in F major, Op. 80~Sehr lebhaft
5. Piano Trio No. 2 in F major, Op. 80~Mit innigem Ausdruck
6. Piano Trio No. 2 in F major, Op. 80~In mässiger Bewegung
7. Piano Trio No. 2 in F major, Op. 80~Nicht zu rasch
8. Kinderszenen, Op. 15: No. 1. Von fremden Ländern und Menschen
9. 5 Stücke im Volkston, Op. 102~No. 1. Mit Humor
10. Little Prelude in E minor, BWV 938
11. Akvareller, Op. 19, Book 1~No. 1. Elegie
12. 49 Deutsche Volkslieder, WoO 33, Book 3: No. 1. Schwesterlein
13. 5 Stücke im Volkston, Op. 102~No. 2. Langsam
14. Andante & Allegro assai vivace, Op. 92
15. Bunte Blätter, Op. 83, Book 1~No. 6. Lied ohne Worte
16. 6 Gedichte von N. Lenau und Requiem, Op. 90/2. Meine Rose
17. Sonata in G minor, K. deest
18. 5 Lieder, Op. 49/4 Wiegenlied
19. Kinderszenen, Op. 15: No. 13. Der Dichter spricht

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Trio Dichter   Primary Artist,Ensemble
Hanna Salzenstein   Primary Artist,Cello
Fiona Mato   Primary Artist,Piano
Theotime Langlois de Swarte   Primary Artist,Violin
Samuel Hasselhorn   Baritone (Vocal)
Jorge Gonzalez Buajasan   Piano

Technical Credits

Dennis Collins   Text Translation
Domenico Scarlatti   Composer
Michel Chasteau   Text Translation
Charles Johnston   Text Translation
Clara Wieck Schumann   Composer
Theodor Kirchner   Composer
Niels Gade   Composer
Claude Germain   Photography
Friedrich Rueckert   Text
Richard Stokes   Text Translation
Mike Sklansky   Liner Note Translation
Alban Moraud   Mixing,Engineer,Realization,Artistic Director
Alessandro Gagliano   Instrument Design
Jean-Jacques Groleau   Liner Notes
Carl Holsor   Cover Art
Pietro Guarneri   Instrument Design
Georg Scherer   Text
Marie-Pauline Martin   Liner Notes
Alexandra Evrard   Editing,Mastering,Assistant Engineer
Laurent Bessieres   Tuning
Aude Besnard   Editing
Irene Weber-Froboese   Liner Note Translation
Aurianne Skybyk   Photography
Balthazar Soulier   Photography
Hanna Salzenstein   Liner Notes
Johannes Brahms   Composer
Robert Schumann   Composer
Johann Sebastian Bach   Composer
Felix Mendelssohn   Composer