Program note

Resonance of Love: Schumann and Clara

Schumann Fantasy Op. 17

Clara Variations on a theme of Robert Schumann, Op. 20

Schumann’s Fantasy Op. 17 is considered to be one of the greatest works by Schumann. This work was composed in 1836 then it was published three years later and dedicated to Franz Liszt. During the time, Schumann and Clara's love was opposed by Clara's father. Being separated with Clara, Schumann then expressed his pain, longing, and passionate love in the first movement, which he also quoted Beethoven's The Distant Beloved in the ending, showing his pursuit of love. The second movement brings more vitality and the strong rhythms keeps the energy of the whole movement, followed by an exciting passage in the coda, and eventually ends up with the brilliant and vibrant chords. The third movement, a peaceful and beautifully written movement, profoundly shows the deepest feelings and expression from Schumann.

Clara’s Variations on a theme of Robert Schumann was written based on the fourth piece in Schumann's Colourful Leaves, Op. 99, and this work was written for Schumann's forty-thrid birthday in 1853. This work includes with seven different variations, which all shares the same tonality and characters, each variation is carefully-designed with different rhythmic elements and structure, creating a reflective, romantic, and expressive atmosphere.

An Expressive Journey of Romanticism - From Silence to Infinity

Beethoven Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110

Chopin Nocturne in F sharp major, Op. 15 No. 2

Chopin Nocturne in C sharp minor, Op. 27 No.1

Ireland Sarnia - An Island Sequence

Beethoven’s Sonata Op. 110 is one of the last three sonatas composed in 1821, during the time he suffered from severe health issues and deafness. This sonata is imbued with multiple feelings, showing the most intimate and deep expression. The first movement, moderato cantabile molto espressivo opens with a short introduction, and it later leads to a lyrical and shimmering passage, with delicate texture and bright tonality to the music, bringing out hopefulness and peace. The second movement is associated with a folk song originating from Germany, in contrast to other movements, it probably shows the rough and humorous sides of Beethoven’s music, by using contrasting dynamics and jazz elements. The Finale, on the other hand, is more sophisticated in terms of its structure and expression. Combined with fugues and arioso, this movement intertwined with grief, mourning, and introspective sense. However, these are then conquered by the strong will and lead to a brilliant and triumphant ending.

Chopin’s two contrasting nocturnes create irresistible beauty, overwhelmed by an enchanting atmosphere. The F sharp major Nocturne reflects the charming and delicate side of Chopin’s music through exquisite ornamentation into the melody, with rich harmonies to the accompaniment, inviting a dream-like and luminous atmosphere. By contrast, the C sharp minor Nocturne unfolds with strange and confusing broken chords. The unpredictable shift of tonality and harmony conveys a sense of agitation, eventually ending up with an unexpected major key with warmth and peace.

Ireland’s Sarnia is a three-piece piano work inspired by stunning scenery on Guernsey Island and is considered to be one of his important works. Ireland’s music was influenced by Ravel and Debussy, blending with mysterious harmonic colours and dynamic changes of rhythms. Sarnia has a deep correlation to the natural force, the first movement Le Catioroc suggests mysterious rituals by witches in prehistoric times. In a May Morning expresses beautiful views of blooming spring. The vibrant Song of the Springtides, is full of images of a vast ocean. Each piece evokes different feelings with excitement, longing, nostalgia, and ecstasy shining through the music.

Russian Images: Three musical languages

Prokofiev Vision Fugitives Op. 22

Prokofiev Sonata No. 8

Prokofiev’s Vision Fugitives Op. 22 is his early work consists of twenty short pieces, and the title Vision Fugitives came from Russian poet Konstatin Balmont's poetry. In Prokofiev's early period, he was strongly influenced by Scriabin and Debussy, and these influences could be seen from the impressionist style and the rich harmonic colours that Prokofiev used in this work. This work also shows his distinct personality and characteristics, by using the sharp harmony, shifting tonality, and contrasting dynamic creating a sense of lyricism, sarcasm and humor. 

Prokofiev’s Sonata No. 8  is composed in 1933, at the time of world war II.  At that time, the Soviet government controlled over musician's performances and compositions, which also influenced Prokofiev's compositional style. Sonata No. 8 is one of the War Sonatas, and is also considered to be an unusal sonata compared to his other works. The first movement opens with a delicate and gentle passage, then turns into an unexpected passages with elusive harmony and sharp chords, creating a repressed emotion. The lyrical second movement conveys the illusion of sweet dream, but the dreamy atmosphere is then shattered by the strange and unpredictable harmony change, and the irregular rhythms and accents. The finale is a toccata-like movement, which shows the influences from Beethoven, the dramatic changes of the dynamics, rhythms, and playful music style, showcasing the connections to Beethoven's music. 

Chamber Music- Violin and Piano Duo

Vienna Romance

Schubert Sonata for Violin and Piano in A major, D. 574

Strauss Sonata for Violin and Piano in E flat major, Op. 18

Schubert composed four sonatas for violin and piano, and his sonata D. 574 was the only one that titled with "Grand Duo". It shows more maturity and the balance between violin and piano is well-handled, which creating a dialogue like interaction bewteen the two instrument. The first movement is leading by a lyrical and graceful melody by piano, then the passage is passed to violin, creating an intimate and sensitive feelings. The strong rhythms and playful character offers the second movement boundless energy, and the unexpected change of dynamic and rhythms also shows the spirit from Beethoven. The third movement shows Schubert's lyrical essence by creating a beautiful and elegant melody, bringing a sense of poetry and delicacy to the music. The joyful finale shows the vibrant of the music, gathering with lyrical and scherzo elements, this movement shares the same character to the second movement. 

Written in 1887, Richard Strauss's Sonata for violin and piano Op. 18 is the only work that he wrote for violin and piano. This sonata is full of energy and passion, and the strong interaction of the two instruments brings an intimate connection and rich emotions to the music. The impassioned first movement opens with a glory and heroic introduction, the short introduction is then developed into the theme that is intertwined by violin and piano thorughout the whole movement. The Improvisation, a beautifully written second movement with romantic essences that gives a hint to the composer's relationship with his lover, Pauline de Ahna, and the exquisite passages in the middle section offers delicacy and intimacy to the music. Starting with a funeral-like introduction, the last movement  is overwhelmed by an oppressive atmosphere with weighty chords. Shortly after the introduction, an unexpected Allegro opens the energetic theme with dynamic rhythms, offering excitement and exuberance to the music.

Beethoven Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110

Scriabin Sonata No. 5

Schubert Sonata in C minor, D. 958

Ireland Sarnia - An Island Sequence

Beethoven’s Sonata Op. 110 is one of the last three sonatas composed in 1821, during the time he suffered from severe health issues and deafness. This sonata is imbued with multiple feelings, showing the most intimate and deep expression. The first movement, moderato cantabile molto espressivo opens with a short introduction, and it later leads to a lyrical and shimmering passage, with delicate texture and bright tonality to the music, bringing out hopefulness and peace. The second movement is associated with a folk song originating from Germany, in contrast to other movements, it probably shows the rough and humorous sides of Beethoven’s music, by using contrasting dynamics and jazz elements. The Finale, on the other hand, is more sophisticated in terms of its structure and expression. Combined with fugues and arioso, this movement intertwined with grief, mourning, and introspective sense. However, these are then conquered by the strong will and lead to a brilliant and triumphant ending.

Sonata Op. 53 is a defining work throughout the whole life of Scriabin. This Sonata was written in 1907, and was inspired by his work Poem of Ecstasy, and he quoted a part of the poem from his work for this sonata. During the time, Scriabin was profoundly influenced by literature and Mysticism, these influences could be seen from the use of the mystic chord and rich layers of the harmony. The intense and turbulent atmosphere is created in the opening by a series of sharp bass sounds, then the music turns indolent and dreamy with unstable rhythms and variations in harmony. However, shortly after the dream, the peace is broken by an surging and explosive chords, and eventually leading to the climax of the piece, ending up with the same introduction from the beginning of the piece. 

Schubert's Sonata D. 958 is one of Schubert's late sonatas written in the last period of his life, when he was suffering from illness and pain. The first movement reflects Schubert's mental status, with a serious and weighty c minor chord unfolding the music, followed by a graceful melody with a bright tonality. The Second movement immersed audience into a world with peace and warm, but the peace is shattered by the weighty octaves in the middle section. The third movement, Menuetto, showcases the dance element, and the minor tonality brings a sense of gloom to this movement. The Finale opens with strong rhythms which offers energy and excitement to the music. Some of the characteristics from Beethoven could be seen in this movement, the contrasting dynamics and rhythms with dramatic changes demonstrates the inspirations from Beethoven.

Ireland’s Sarnia is a three-piece piano work inspired by stunning scenery on Guernsey Island and is considered to be one of his important works. Ireland’s music was influenced by Ravel and Debussy, blending with mysterious harmonic colours and dynamic changes of rhythms. Sarnia has a deep correlation to the natural force, the first movement Le Catioroc suggests mysterious rituals by witches in prehistoric times. In a May Morning expresses beautiful views of blooming spring. The vibrant Song of the Springtides, is full of images of a vast ocean. Each piece evokes different feelings with excitement, longing, nostalgia, and ecstasy shining through the music.

Resonance of Love, music, and souls   

Schumann Fantasy Op. 17

Clara Variations on a theme of Robert Schumann, Op. 20

Clara Quatre Pièces fugitives, Op. 15

Brahms Piano Pieces Op. 118

Schumann’s Fantasy Op. 17 is considered to be one of the greatest works by Schumann. This work was composed in 1836 then it was published three years later and dedicated to Franz Liszt. During the time, Schumann and Clara's love was opposed by Clara's father. Being separated with Clara, Schumann then expressed his pain, longing, and passionate love in the first movement, which he also quoted Beethoven's The Distant Beloved in the ending, showing his pursuit of love. The second movement brings more vitality and the strong rhythms keeps the energy of the whole movement, followed by an exciting passage in the coda, and eventually ends up with the brilliant and vibrant chords. The third movement, a peaceful and beautifully written movement, profoundly shows the deepest feelings and expression from Schumann.

Clara’s Variations on a theme of Robert Schumann was written based on the fourth piece in Schumann's Colourful Leaves, Op. 99, and this work was written for Schumann's forty-thrid birthday in 1853. This work includes with seven different variations, which all shares the same tonality and characters, each variation is carefully-designed with different rhythmic elements and structure, creating a reflective, romantic, and expressive atmosphere.

Quatre Pièces fugitives, Op. 15 is a four-piece piano suite composed in 1841 by Clara. This suite shows different faces of Clara's music. The first piece is quiet and peaceful with a bright tonality that offers a sweet and dreamy atmosphere of the music. The second piece, Un poco agitato, unfolds with a series of intense passages, bringing the agitated and anxious feelings by the minor key. The beautiful third piece opens with the warm chords and the whole piece is overwhelmed by joy, bliss, and happiness.

Brahms's Piano pieces Op. 118, a six-piece piano work that was composed in 1893, and this work was dedicated to Clara Schumann. The first piece, Intermezzo introduces with an octave melody, and the continuous musical phrases offering the intensity to the music, with passion and rich emotions. The second Intermezzo creates an illusion with a sweet and peaceful atmosphere, and the bright tonality then turns into minor with a sad and melancholy feeling. Ballade opens with a series of agitated and impassioned chords, with a contrast to the gentle and lyrical middle section. Followed by the anxious and surging melodies that builds up the energy of the music, eventually pushes the energy to the climax in the end. The F major Romanze immerses listeners into a beautiful world with simple structure and stable rhythms that shares a sense of mediation, which also make a difference to the flowing middle section with freedom. The soliloquy from the beginning of the Finale successfully establishes the loneliness and struggling feelings. The dark tonality and soft bass proceeds to a burning climax, then the passion eventually fades away with the weighty and gloomy melody.