Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)

THE STORY

In 1845, Robert Schumann published his only piano concerto. His contribution came on the heels of Chopin’s two piano concertos (both 1830), Mendelssohn’s two (1830, 1837) and Beethoven’s five (1801-09). Refining an earlier, unmarketable Phantasie in A minor from the composer’s symphonic year of 1841, Schumann added a lyrical second movement (Intermezzo) and the Allegro vivace. The resulting concerto was premiered in Dresden by the composer’s wife Clara, arguably the greatest female concert pianist of her time.

Schumann’s concerto reflects his ideals for the genre, which he believed should balance poetic discourse with virtuosic prowess. Schumann sought to restore its spiritual and musical purity: “[The] core of a composition should be divested first of all its adornments. Only then will it become apparent whether it is really beautifully formed… And if still a beautiful melody remains, if it also embodies a healthy, noble harmony, then the composer has won and deserves our applause. This requirement seems so simple, yet how seldom is it successfully fulfilled!”

LISTEN FOR

• The soloist’s dotted chords that open the work—typically, it is the orchestra that introduces the main themes before the soloist’s entrance, but here Schumann reverses the order
• The massive solo cadenza towards the end of the movement, showcasing a virtuosic return of the main themes
• The graceful Intermezzo with playful exchanges between pianist and orchestra
• The buoyant Allegro vivace ending triumphantly in A major

INSTRUMENTATION

Solo piano; two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, timpani, strings