Schumann, Clara: Variations sur un thème de Robert Schumann, Op. 20 - CD

This disc celebrates the piano music of Robert and Clara Schumann. Robert himself said that the Fantasy in C, particularly the first movement, 'is probably the most passionate I have ever written'. It was completed after Friederich Wieck had expressed his displeasure of Robert's love for his 16 year old daughter Clara, the virtuoso pianist and sensation of the age. The piece contains a first movement adapted from a work called Ruines, displaying Schumann's despair at being forbidden from marrying Clara.

Clara and Robert eventually married, and the young virtuoso's compositional output began to flourish. The two began to learn counterpoint together, and Clara's mastery of this subject led to the composition of the Prelude and Fugue in G minor op.16 No.3, which displays both tonal variation and rhythmic interest, as well creating a lively 'contrapuntal game' in the final movement. Her Variations on a theme by Robert Schumann were written as a heartfelt gift for Robert's 43rd birthday in 1853.

The pieces are performed by the critically acclaimed Danish concert pianist Christina Bjorkoe. Recipient of several international awards such as first prize in the Steinway Competition (which she has won twice) and the Pianist of the Year Award at the Chinaart Awards in 2011, Christina has also been an Associate Professor at the Carl Nielsen Academy of Music, Odense since 2003.

In 1853 three musical souls bound themselves together in a declaration of friendship and love. While Schumann bade farewell to composition before sinking into madness, Brahms and Clara, in their variations for piano, testified to the love they felt for the composer of Bunte Blätter. At once personal messages and expressions of admiration, these works reveal the innermost emotions of three creators.