My work in Germany wrapped up with a whirlwind of performances in Freiberg, Döbeln, and Zwickau.
Last Saturday and Sunday, I had the great honor of performing more Brahms-Lieder concerts in the birth house of Robert Schumann. What a historic place with a fantastic museum and a beautiful chamber concert hall—a great privilege for me!
The theme of the Lieder series was “Von ewiger Liebe” (of eternal love), a reference to Brahms’ Op. 43, No. 1 Lied: a setting of a Wendish folk-poem by August Heinrich Hoffman von Fallersleben. In addition to programming this great song on each concert, the program featured sets of love songs, duets, and settings of Volkslieder (folk songs).
Although we did not perform any works by Robert Schumann, there were many strong connections to him in the program. Most notably, the featured composer, Brahms, whose compositional career was greatly encouraged and influenced by Schumann. Also, three of the lieder on the Sunday program were settings of poems by Felix Schumann, the youngest son of Robert and Clara.
And now, after three weeks of intense study, practice and performing, it’s time for a well-deserved vacation!
As a parting gift, I’ll leave you with a few photos from Zwickau.
Tschüß! (Goodbye!)
Liz
