Performers
- Yuto Kiguchi (Aka Duo) piano*
- Seina Matsuoka (Aka Duo) violin**
- Polish Radio Orchestra in Warsaw
- Ewa Strusińska conductor
Programme
Fanny Hensel (Mendelssohn) Overture in C major, H-U.265 [10’]
Clara Schumann Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 7 [23′]*
I. Allegro maestoso
II. Romanze: Andante non troppo con grazia
III. Finale: Allegro non troppo
Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 [26′]**
I. Allegro molto appassionato
II. Andante – Allegretto non troppo
III. Allegro molto vivace
Concert description
Fanny Hensel (née Mendelssohn) and Clara Schumann (née Wieck) are two of the best-known female composers born in the first half of the 19th century. The fates of these women, however, could not be more different. While Clara lived to the age of seventy-seven, Fanny died suddenly at forty-two. Clara practiced her music in public and took her place among the best pianists of her time, and her compositions were highly regarded as well. Fanny’s work and performance, on the other hand, remained mostly in the private sphere, although it was an open secret that some songs – published under the name of her more famous brother – were written by her. Clara raised eight children, and it was mainly (and, after her husband’s death, exclusively) her who supported the family. Fanny had one son, and her social position meant that not only did she not have to worry about winning bread, but it would have been considered inappropriate. Fanny left behind only one purely orchestral work, Overture in C Major. She also composed an oratorio and several cantatas, but her songs are most appreciated. Similarly, Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A Minor is the composer’s only completed work with orchestra (she wrote the piano part for herself, of course). The premiere of the full version was conducted by Felix Mendelssohn, who played an important role in the lives of both women. Fanny trusted him implicitly in musical matters. Although he encouraged her to write, he discouraged her from publishing. Mendelssohn and Clara became friends, performed each other’s works and played music together.
– Dominika Micał (pisanezesluchu.pl)