Yaara Tal - Love? Homage to Clara Schumann - Import CD

Credits:

Yaara Tal

Description:

This album, performed by Yaara Tal—one half of the popular piano duo “Tal & Grothuisen”—was produced in honor of Clara Schumann, the genius female pianist whose 200th birthday was celebrated in 2019. This is Yaara Tal’s third solo album on Sony Classical; she is a member of the popular piano duo “Tal & Grothuisen.” The album was produced to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of the brilliant female pianist Clara Schumann in 2019. However, rather than focusing on “Clara the composer”—as is often the case—this album offers a fascinating and unique concept: it portrays this exceptionally talented woman through the works of the friends who surrounded Clara and her beloved husband, Robert. Having overcome various obstacles to be together, Robert and Clara maintained an ideal musical partnership. It is well known that the two completed several works while engaging in lively exchanges of ideas; Clara’s “Three Romances, Op. 11” is also a piece she wrote while thinking of Robert shortly before their marriage. Furthermore, inspired by this piece, Robert composed the “Humoresque.” This piece was dedicated to the female composer Julie von Webenau, who was a close friend of his (and Clara’s) at the time; in return, Webenau dedicated “Farewell and Welcome Back” to Schumann. Kirchner was bound by deep friendship with the Schumanns and Brahms, and it is said that Clara, in particular, was very fond of him. This recording features three preludes he dedicated to Clara. Brahms also had strong ties to the Schumanns, and he was particularly fond of (and secretly in love with) their third daughter, Julie; when she married in 1869, he was so heartbroken that he composed the “Alto Rhapsody.” At the suggestion of Yaara Tal, this album features the world’s first recording of the work for “tenor, female chorus, and piano” to “lighten the heavy atmosphere of the original composition.” The solo part is performed by Julian Pregardien, a promising young tenor, who brings out a new charm in the work. Sony Music

Tracklisting:

1.Adieu et la Retour Op. 25. Morceaux de Fantaisie~L'Adieu. Moderato
2.Adieu et la Retour Op. 25. Morceaux de Fantaisie~Le Retour. Allegretto
3.Trois Romances Op. 11~Romance No. 1 Andante
4.Trois Romances Op. 11~Romance No. 3 Moderato
5.Trois Romances Op. 11~Romance No. 2 Andante
6.Three Preludes from Op. 9~Prelude No. 10 Cantabile
7.Three Preludes from Op. 9~Prelude No. 11 Allegro brillante
8.Three Preludes from Op. 9~Prelude No. 13 Allegro con passione
9.Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann, for piano 4 hands, Op. 23~Thema: Leise und innig
10.Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann, for piano 4 hands, Op. 23~Variation I: L'istesso Tempo - Andante molto moderato
11.Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann, for piano 4 hands, Op. 23~Variation II
12.Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann, for piano 4 hands, Op. 23~Variation III
13.Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann, for piano 4 hands, Op. 23~Variation IV
14.Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann, for piano 4 hands, Op. 23~Variation V: Poco piu animato
15.Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann, for piano 4 hands, Op. 23~Variation VI: Allegro non troppo
16.Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann, for piano 4 hands, Op. 23~Variation VII: Con moto - L'istesso tempo
17.Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann, for piano 4 hands, Op. 23~Variation VIII: Poco piu vivo
18.Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann, for piano 4 hands, Op. 23~Variation IX
19.Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann, for piano 4 hands, Op. 23~Variation X: Molto moderato, alla Marcia
20.Rhapsodie Op. 53 for alto, male choir and orchestra