Poster Robert and Clara Schumann
Robert Schumann with his wife, Clara Schumann (c. 1850)
Bildarchiv Preusischer Kulturbesitz
Performance Today®

Music as the poetry of love

Robert Schumann wrote his Piano Concerto in A Major for his great love -- his wife, pianist Clara Schumann. On Thursday's Performance Today, we'll hear Martha Argerich play Schumann's musical poetry of love, from a concert in Switzerland.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Felix Mendelssohn: Octet: 3. Scherzo
James Ehnes, violin; Seattle Chamber Music Society
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto, Octet
Onyx 4060

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Overture to The Magic Flute, K. 620
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra; Jeffrey Kahane, music director
Royce Hall, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA

Josquin des Prez (arr. Raymond Mase): Chansons: 1. En l'ombre d'ung buissone; 2. El grillo; 3. Plaine de dueil; 4.De tous biens playne; 5. Kanon; N'esse pas ung grant deplaisir
American Brass Quintet; John D. Rojak, conductor
BPL Chamber Players Concert Series, Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn, NY

Felix Mendelssohn: Trio No. 2 for Violin, Cello and Piano in C minor, Op. 66
Stefan Jackiw, violin; Edward Arron, cello; Max Levinson, piano
Seattle Chamber Music Society, Nordstrom Recital Hall, Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA

Hour 2

Robert Schumann: Fantasy Pieces for Clarinet and Piano: 3. Rasch und mit Feuer
Todd Levy, clarinet; Elena Abend, piano
Brahms and Schumann
Avie 2098

Peter Tchaikovsky: Nocturne for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 19, No. 1
Zuill Bailey, cello; Windham Festival Chamber Orchestra; Robert Manno, conductor
Windham Chamber Music Festival, Windham Civic Centre Concert Hall, Windham, NY

Maurice Ravel: Berceuse sur le nom de Gabriel Faure
Erin Keefe, violin; Alessio Bax, piano
Music@Menlo, The Center for Performing Arts at Menlo-Atherton, Atherton, CA

Eduard Franck: Piano Selections from 3 Character pieces Op. 3 No. 2 in B Major: Movement 2
James Tocco, piano
Close Encounters With Music, Merkin Concert Hall, New York, NY

Robert Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor
Martha Argerich, piano; Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana; Alexander Vedrnikov, conductor
Martha Argerich: Lugano Concertos
DG 477 9884

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Performance Today® Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Performance Today® Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

About Performance Today®

To find a station near you on our Stations Listings page, click here.

American Public Media’s Performance Today® is America’s most popular classical music radio program and a winner of the 2014 Gabriel Award for artistic achievement. The show is broadcast on hundreds of public radio stations across the country, including at 1 p.m. central weekdays on Minnesota Public Radio. More information about our stations can be found at APM Distribution.

Performance Today® features live concert recordings that can’t be heard anywhere else, highlights from new album releases, and in-studio performances and interviews. Performance Today® is based at the APM studios in St. Paul, Minnesota, but is frequently on the road, with special programs broadcast from festivals and public radio stations around the country. Also, each Wednesday, composer Bruce Adolphe joins host Fred Child for a classical musical game and listener favorite: the Piano Puzzler.

How do I leave a comment?

Send us a comment here.

About Performance Today®
<!--DO NOT REMOVE-CONTENTS PLACED HERE-->