Sun, Apr 24 Nicolas van Poucke plays Schumann
Time
Location
Recital Hall
Recital Hall
The internationally acclaimed pianist Nicolas van Poucke presents a special program, entirely devoted to one of his favorite composers: Robert Schumann. In addition to his intimate and poetic Davidsbündlertänze, you will also hear his latest composition, the mysterious Geistervariationen (Ghost Variations). Schumann himself affirmed that its theme had been whispered to him by angels. Tragedy followed: shortly afterwards the great composer was admitted to an institution for the mentally ill, never to go out again.
Classical Music Productions
Chamber Music
After his album, including Schumann's Carnaval and Fantasiestücke was jubilantly received by the press – “Not many pianists manage to approach this musically and psychologically complex world with so much obviousness” (Het Parool, Erik Voermans) – Nicolas van Poucke's fascination for this composer has only grown stronger. In his new program he combines Schumann's enigmatic last composition with one of the most poetic works of his younger years.
The Davidsbündlertänze, opus 6 served as an engagement gift for Clara Wieck, whom he married in 1840. The cycle contains its most intimate and moving notes. The Geistervariationen, on the other hand, were composed in dark days. Between the writing of the fourth and fifth variations on a theme that Schumann believed had been whispered to him by angels, he threw himself into the Rhine in an uitburst of inner wrath. Shortly afterwards, he was admitted to a mental institution. The notes of the fifth variation, which he was still able to complete before recording, became his very last notes.
Fünf Gesänge der Frühe
Kreisleriana, op. 16
Theme and variations in E-flat major 'Geistervariationen'
Davidsbündlertänze