Schumann: Teatro Comunale di Bologna

About the Event

Robert Schumann's compositional style reflects the inner turmoil and fragile mental state that plagued him throughout his life. His music resists restraint, flowing like a continuous stream of consciousness that seems to transcend the confines of the score. The Concerto for Cello and Orchestra is a prime example of this, showcasing the instrument in a groundbreaking manner that defies the conventions of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Similarly, the Concerto for Piano breaks free from traditional forms, traversing impetuous passion and dizzying shifts in mood with a wide range of gradations that evoke a sense of enchanting suspension.

However, Schumann's unconventional approach to composition did not lend itself well to the demands of the theater. Consequently, his only complete work for the stage, 'Genoveva,' has sadly vanished from contemporary playbills, unfairly overshadowed by his other compositions. On the contrary, 'Manfred' takes the form of a poem for voices, chorus, and orchestra. Its magnificent overture can be regarded as an autonomous symphonic poem, reminiscent of the concise thematic and evocative power commonly associated with Franz Liszt.

In summary, Robert Schumann's musical genius was intertwined with his mental fragility and emotional intensity. His works, like the Concerto for Cello and Orchestra and the Concerto for Piano, demonstrate a continuous evolution of thought and a yearning for the infinite. Despite his struggles with theatrical composition, Schumann's legacy lives on through pieces like 'Manfred,' which showcase his ability to create symphonic poems of exceptional beauty and conciseness.