The allure of the Rhineland

Donald Macleod examines Schumann’s connection to the landscape around Düsseldorf and his daily life in the city.

Donald Macleod explores Robert Schumann’s years in Dusseldorf – the city where he would spend the final years of his life. Despite often being portrayed as a creative disaster, during this period Schumann was greatly inspired by the city and by the countryside which surrounded it, and would write some of his greatest music.

In Friday’s programme, Donald explores Schumann’s connection to the landscape around Düsseldorf, and his daily life in the city where a strict routine was needed in the wake of an onslaught of work. Donald also finds new friends come into the composer’s life – the violinist Joseph Joachim and the composer Johannes Brahms.

Dichterliebe – Im Rhein, im heiligen Strome
Matthias Goerne, baritone
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano

Marchenerzahlungen, Op.132 - no 3
Sabine Meyer, clarinet
Tabea Zimmermann, viola
Harmut Holl, piano

Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra in C major, Op.131
Patricia Kopatchinskaja, violin
WDR Sinfonieorchester Koln
Heinz Holliger, conductor

Introduction and Concert Allegro, Op.134
Jan Lisiecki, piano
Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Antonio Pappano, conductor

Symphony in E flat, Op.97 “Rhenish” – V. Lebhaft
Stavanger Symphony Orchestra
Jan Willem de Vriend, conductor

Blumenstuck in D-flat Major, Op.19
Benjamin Grosvenor, piano

Wenn mein Stundlein vorhanden ist
Seicento Vocale
Jan Croonenbroeck, director

Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC Audio Wales & West