Glad you enjoyed — it's hard not to fall in love with that string sextet, right?
I couldn't find any specific info during my research on whether Clara performed that work in public. Apparently the Robert Schumann Haus in Germany has a database of every concert program Clara gave, but it's not digitized and available online. :(
But with that said, Clara performed *a lot* of Johannes's music (she and Robert had a big hand in Johannes's growing popularity early in his career), so I wouldn't be surprised if she did perform that work. And I agree with you — I bet it was phenomenal!
After reading your words, it’s difficult not to let the imagination run wild. Listening to this music, knowing they dedicated it and gifted manuscripts… my heart! I know he respected her greatly… perhaps she felt unrequited love too?
I was going to pick Brahms’ string sextet, hands down…..until the piano arrangement reached the final third. Those pianissimo plinks, a dolce lullaby! I listened to that section to the end several times over. It’s breathtaking! The comparison of this piece against Clara’s really amplifies her sadness and frustration, it was like peering into the frantic thoughts in her mind, anxiety over her husband she couldn’t see, emotions wrestling incessantly with only a few fleeting moments of resolve. I can’t help but feel grateful she had Johannes to support her in those challenging times. Thank you, Michael, for breathing new depth into their stories! 💙
Thanks, Katie! I have to admit, I'll always prefer the String Sextet version — buuuuuuuut the second major key variation in the piano version is *priceless.* Starting at 7:17 in the Radu Lupu recording, it sounds like a beloved music box tinkling away, a delicate porcelain ballerina figure swirling above. Just breathtaking.
I'm so glad you enjoyed these journeys with Johannes and Clara over the past two months. It was so beautiful to live within their worlds for such a long period of time, and getting to share these stories was icing on the cake. 💙
Yes yes!! A music box just like my grandmother had! What a treasure! And it fills me right up knowing that this chapter of Shades was just as delightful for you to share as it was to read!
Those were all beautiful pieces it’s hard to choose but I think I have to go with the string arrangement.
Do you know if Clara ever performed the manuscript she was gifted from Brahms while she was on tour? If so I bet it was phenomenal.
Glad you enjoyed — it's hard not to fall in love with that string sextet, right?
I couldn't find any specific info during my research on whether Clara performed that work in public. Apparently the Robert Schumann Haus in Germany has a database of every concert program Clara gave, but it's not digitized and available online. :(
But with that said, Clara performed *a lot* of Johannes's music (she and Robert had a big hand in Johannes's growing popularity early in his career), so I wouldn't be surprised if she did perform that work. And I agree with you — I bet it was phenomenal!
I just looked up the Robert Schumann Haus. It looks like a great museum. That's too bad they don't have that digitized.
What a touching story of friendship and loyalty. Beautiful. Thank you, Michael.
Thanks so much, Jules. 💙
After reading your words, it’s difficult not to let the imagination run wild. Listening to this music, knowing they dedicated it and gifted manuscripts… my heart! I know he respected her greatly… perhaps she felt unrequited love too?
I was going to pick Brahms’ string sextet, hands down…..until the piano arrangement reached the final third. Those pianissimo plinks, a dolce lullaby! I listened to that section to the end several times over. It’s breathtaking! The comparison of this piece against Clara’s really amplifies her sadness and frustration, it was like peering into the frantic thoughts in her mind, anxiety over her husband she couldn’t see, emotions wrestling incessantly with only a few fleeting moments of resolve. I can’t help but feel grateful she had Johannes to support her in those challenging times. Thank you, Michael, for breathing new depth into their stories! 💙
Thanks, Katie! I have to admit, I'll always prefer the String Sextet version — buuuuuuuut the second major key variation in the piano version is *priceless.* Starting at 7:17 in the Radu Lupu recording, it sounds like a beloved music box tinkling away, a delicate porcelain ballerina figure swirling above. Just breathtaking.
I'm so glad you enjoyed these journeys with Johannes and Clara over the past two months. It was so beautiful to live within their worlds for such a long period of time, and getting to share these stories was icing on the cake. 💙
Yes yes!! A music box just like my grandmother had! What a treasure! And it fills me right up knowing that this chapter of Shades was just as delightful for you to share as it was to read!