Main content

Donald Macleod meets the friends (and foes) of composer Clara Schumann. Today, her mysteriously close relationship with Johannes Brahms.

Clara Schumann is considered one of the most talented composer-pianists of the Romantic era. Put to work by her domineering father from an early age, as a touring performer she soon drew the admiration of her peers - and made friends who would remain important presences in her life until the end. As an adult, she spent several hours every day writing and replying to their letters. This week, Donald Macleod explores some of those relationships. Today, her mysteriously close relationship with Johannes Brahms, which has been the subject of much speculation...

Brahms: Wiegenlied, Op. 49 No. 4 (Lullaby)
Yo-Yo Ma, cello
Kathryn Stott, piano

Brahms: Piano Trio No. 2 in C Major, Op. 87: I. Allegro
Florestan Trio, chamber ensemble
Anthony Marwood, violin
Richard Lester, cello
Susan Tomes, piano

3 Romances, Op. 21
Susanne Grützmann, piano

Brahms: Serenade, Op. 11, arr. by Clara Schumann
Jozef De Beenhouwer, piano

Brahms: Serenade, Op. 16, arr. by Clara Schumann
Jozef De Beenhouwer, piano

Brahms: Vier ernste Gesänge, Op. 121
Matthias Goerne, baritone
Daniil Trifonov, piano

Produced by Alice McKee for BBC Audio Wales & West

23 days left to listen

59 minutes

Last on

Last Wednesday16:00
BBC Radio 3

More episodes

Previous

Clara and LisztClara Schumann and Her Circle

Next

Clara, Felix and JosephClara Schumann and Her Circle

See all episodes from Composer of the Week

Music Played

  • Johannes Brahms

    Wiegenlied, Op 49, No 4

    Performer: Yo‐Yo Ma. Performer: Kathryn Stott.
    • Sony : 88875103162.
    • Sony.
    • 2.

  • Johannes Brahms

    Piano Trio No 2 in C major, Op 87 (1st mvt)

    Ensemble: Florestan Trio.
    • HYPERION : CDA-672512.
    • HYPERION.
    • 1.

  • Clara Schumann

    3 Romances, Op 21

    Performer: Susanne Grützmann.
    • PROFIL:PH 07065.
    • PROFIL.
    • 7.

  • Johannes Brahms

    Serenade No 1 in D major, Op 11 (4th mvt)

    Performer: Jozef de Beenhouwer. Music Arranger: Clara Schumann.
    • MDG : MDG-9032115.
    • MDG.
    • 21.

  • Johannes Brahms

    Serenade No 2 in A major, Op 16 (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Jozef de Beenhouwer. Music Arranger: Clara Schumann.
    • MDG : MDG-9032115.
    • MDG.
    • 22.

  • Johannes Brahms

    4 Ernste Gesange, Op 121

    Performer: Daniil Trifonov. Singer: Matthias Goerne.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON : 4862452.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
    • 27.

Broadcast

  • Last Wednesday16:00
    BBC Radio 3

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.