Variations on a Theme of Robert Schumann (Op. 9), Johannes Brahms.
I never hear anybody talking about this piece, and never see it on concert programmes. This is unfortunate because it is, interpretively, a rare piece of work that so evocatively captures a man falling victim to his own mind, rare music that attempts to both sympathize and offer rest and healing.
I could not agree more—it’s one of my very favorite pieces by Brahms. And I liked this reading by Katchen so well that I actually put this video together. It’s on my short list of mid-to-large solo rep to work up one of these years…
There are many obvious and hidden references to Schumann and his life and work — including Schumann’s theme itself, the opening motive of which encodes one of his ways of spelling “Clara.” I can’t imagine the impression this must have made on Frau Schumann when a very young Brahms presented it to her…
(via wekeeponmaking)
