ABOUT
Bravo! Vail’s Immersive Experiences Series studies a specific theme or body of work in depth through performances, lectures, and other avenues of exploration. The 2022 Series entitled A Love Story in Song examined the intense, intimate relationships between composers Robert Schumann, Clara Schumann, and Johannes Brahms, and the impact these connections had on their lives and work, with a special emphasis on their art songs (Lieder).
The two programs were curated and performed by tenor Nicholas Phan, soprano Susanna Phillips, pianist Myra Huang, and pianist Anne-Marie McDermott, with Robert Schumann’s beloved song cycles Frauenliebe and Leben ("A Woman’s Life and Love") and Dichterliebe ("A Poet’s Love") serving as anchors for the programs.
PROGRAM I
After a long courtship and legal battle with Clara Schumann’s father, Robert and Clara Schumann were finally able to marry in 1840. This year would earn the title of Liederjahr (‘Year of Song’) when later considered in the context of Robert’s life, marking a gigantic shift in Robert Schumann’s compositional output. Having previously devoted the majority of his composition toward works for solo piano, Schumann began to feel that writing for the piano alone was not sufficient to express his great love for his bride-to-be. During this year of increased creativity and devotion to Lieder, Robert composed 168 songs alone.
This first immersive program explored many of the songs he and Clara wrote during this pivotal year.
ARTISTS
Susanna Phillips, soprano | Nicholas Phan, tenor | Myra Huang & Anne-Marie McDermott, piano
PROGRAM
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH: Prelude in C# Major BWV 848
ROBERT & CLARA SCHUMANN: Gedichte aus ‘Liebesfrühling’ (sel.)
R. SCHUMANN: selected songs and duets
R. SCHUMANN: Frauenliebe und –leben, Op. 42
R. SCHUMANN: Myrthen, Op. 25 (sel.)
CLARA SCHUMANN: selected songs
PROGRAM II
“Here again is one who comes as if sent from God!” - Clara Schumann (née Wieck)
“Visit from Brahms (a genius).” - Robert Schumann
The two above quotes are taken from Clara’s and Robert’s journals respectively, are their documents of their first impressions of a 20 year old Johannes Brahms, who timidly knocked on their door in Düsseldorf, where Robert was now music director, on September 30, 1853 in hopes to show Robert some of his compositions and further his compositional career. Little did any of them know that the fateful meeting would forever change the course of their lives, inaugurating a new chapter for all three of them – in the case of Robert, a tragically premature final one. This program explored some of the songs inspired from this chapter of their lives.
ARTISTS
Susanna Phillips, soprano | Nicholas Phan, tenor | Myra Huang & Anne-Marie McDermott, piano
PROGRAM
CLARA SCHUMANN: Nocturne, Op. 6
ROBERT SCHUMANN: Familiengemälde, Op. 34, No. 4
JOHANNES BRAHMS: selected songs
R. SCHUMANN: Dichterliebe, Op. 48
C. SCHUMANN: Romance in a minor
J. BRAHMS: Liebeslieder Walzer, Op. 52 (sel.)
J. BRAHMS: Neue Liebeslieder, Op. 65 (sel.)
J. BRAHMS: Hungarian Dance No. 5
R. SCHUMANN: Spanische Liebeslieder, Op. 138 (sel.)
J. BRAHMS: So lass uns wandern, Op 75, no. 3