September 12, 2025

Robert Schumann (1810-1856)

1 hour 5 minutes

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.

Music featured:

Marchenbilder, Op 113 (1st mvt, Nicht schnell)

Symphony No 3 in E-flat major ‘Rhenish’ Op 97

5 Lieder, Op 40 (No 4, Der Spielmann)

Geistervariationen in E-flat major for piano, WoO 24

Violin Concerto in D minor, WoO 23 (2nd & 3rd mvts)

Konzertstück for 4 Horns and Orchestra, Op 86 (1st mvt)

Lieder und Gesange aus Wilhelm Meister, Op 98a

Scenes from Goethe’s Faust, Part 3 (excerpt)

The Bride of Messina Overture

Kinderszenen, Op 15 (No 7 Träumerei)

Genovera Overture Op 81

Sechs Gesange, Op 107 (No 6 Abendlied)

Adventlied (excerpt)

Mass in C minor, Op 147 (Gloria)

Symphony No 4 in D minor, Op 120 (1st mvt)

Manfred Overture, Op 115

Cello Concerto in A minor, Op 129

Violin Sonata No 1 in A minor, Op 105 (2nd mvt)

Der Rose Pilgerfahrt, Op 112

Marchenerzahlungen, Op132 (No 3)

Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra in C major, Op 131

Introduction and Concert Allegro, Op 134

Blumenstuck in D-flat Major, Op 19

Wenn mein Stundlein vorhanden ist

Presented by Donald Macleod

Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC Audio Wales & West

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Robert Schumann (1810-1856) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002hwtc

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z

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By BBC Radio 3

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