Classical Music | Music for Flute

Recorded on 05/24/2017, uploaded on 03/10/2018

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

The Three Romances, Op. 94 by Robert Schumann (of which two are being performed) are the only pieces on today’s program not originally written for the flute, but instead for the oboe. Composed in 1849, they are part of a group of works for various wind instruments with piano, including the Adagio and Allegro for horn, and the Fantasiestücke, Op. 73 for clarinet. Given to his wife, the eminent pianist Clara Wieck, as a Christmas present, they are eloquent musical professions of love. The first of the two movements on today’s program, marked Nicht schnell, is a reflective statement with a slight air of tragedy; the second, whose marking translates to “Simple, inward,” dispels that dark atmosphere with childlike naivety and impetuousness. Many pieces by Schumann can be thought of in terms of the composer’s two contrasting alter-egos—Florestan the extrovert and Eusebius the dreamer. Perhaps you can hear these two personalities battling for dominance of the musical line.     Notes by David Kaplan

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.