At the occasion of the 200th birthday of Clara Schumann
CULTURAL EVENT ON MAY 25, 2019 IN THE FORMER HOUSE OF THE STRALSUND COMPOSER PAUL STRUCK, MÖNCHSTRASSE 12, HOSTS: ANTON AND ANGELIKA WERNER
STRALSUND, MAY 25, 2019
Gisela Reinhold had brought two artists of international reputation and rank to Stralsund: soprano Christine Reber and pianist Babette Hierholzer. It was a pleasure for the master of the house, who is a pianist himself and had worked with singers, to hear both of them in the professional setting (Steinway grand piano and good acoustics of the hall). The concert not only provided the audience with artistic perfection (especially in the interaction of the two artists), but included a biographical lecture, that touched the hearts and set the stage for this varied concert program.
The evening was dedicated to Clara Schumann. The readings between the pieces of music, brought many little known details to our attention and even some completely “new” pieces like the „Polonaise op. 1/1“ by Clara and “Ahnung (presentiment)” by Robert Schumann. By the way, Frau Hierholzer herself had published the sheet music of Clara’s op. 1
True raptures of enthusiasm were called especially by „The Nightingale“ by Al. Alabieff, whose difficult high bird calls Ms. Reber sang perfectly and at the same time with engaging charm, and by the „Rondo capriccioso“ by F. Mendelssohn Bartholdy, which Ms. Hierholzer played with breathtaking momentum. The audience feasted on three more encores, before – as another pleasure – they had the opportunity to talk to the artists.
Upon approval by both Artists following some short impressions:
Felix Mendelssohn Rondo capriccioso op. 14
Babette Hierholzer, piano
Robert Schumann, Dedication op. 25/1
Robert Schumann, He, the best of all op. 42/2 (encore)
„Beloved Clara“ program of Stralsund House concert A. & A. Werner
| Clara Wieck-Schumann (1819 – 1896) | Song: Lov’st thou for beauty op. 12/2 |
| Polonaise in E flat Major op. 1/1 | |
| Song: He came in storm and rain op. 12/4 | |
| Gioacchino Rossini (1792 – 1868) | Aria of opera: Semiramide: Bel raggio lusinghier |
| Robert Schumann (1810 – 1856) | Song: With myrtle and roses op. 24/9 |
| Alexander Alabieff (1787 – 1851) | Song: The Nightingale |
| Felix Mendelsohn Bartholdy (1809 – 1847) | Rondo Capriccioso op. 14 for piano |
| Robert Schumann | „Presentiment“ for piano |
| Johannes Brahms (1833 – 1897) | Song: My love’s as green op. 63/5 |
| Pauline Viardot (1821 – 1910) | Song: Hai Luli |
| Robert Schumann | Song: Dedication op. 25/1 |
STRALSUND, APRIL 12, 2019
On the occasion of the 200th birthday of Clara Schumann, Babette Hierholzer and Christine Reber recall the multiple talent of this unusual musician. As a child prodigy, celebrated pianist and composer, she occupies a special place in music history. She was one of the first to reform the format of the then-customary potpourri program, performing entire works by Beethoven, not just individual movements. Also she committed herself – often against the resistance of the concert organizers – to the then contemporary work of Robert Schumann. On the evening of the house concert, compositions by Clara Schumann and her contemporaries Robert Schumann, Felix Mendelssohn and Johannes Brahms will be heard. Excerpts from letters and diaries that explain the context are being read.
Christine Reber received her vocal training in Freiburg and New York. With her extensive opera and concert repertoire, the versatile soprano is an internationally sought-after soloist.
The German-American pianist Babette Hierholzer, who lives in New York, has been studying the work of Robert and Clara Schumann for a long time. At the publishing house Ries & Erler she published Clara Wieck’s Quattre Polonaises pour le pianoforte op. In 1983 she recorded the piano soundtrack for the film “Frühlingssinfonie” (Spring Symphony) by Peter Schamoni. In addition, she was the double for Nastassja Kinski in the movie as the piano-playing Clara Schumann.