#ClassicsaDay #SchumannsCircle Week 2

The Classics a Day team honors Robert Schumann's birthday (June 8, 1810). The theme for June is Schumann and his circle. During the month, you're encouraged to share works written by Schumann, his friends, his colleagues, his rivals -- and of course, his wife.

Here are my #ClassicsaDay selections for the second week of #SchumannsCircle.

6/8/21 Norbert Burgmüller - Piano Concerto in F-sharp minor, Op. 1

Burgmüller was friends with both Mendelssohn and Schumann. When he died at 26 Schumann compared the loss to music with Schubert's early death. He wrote this concerto at age 19.

6/9/21 Frederic Chopin - Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 11

In his review of this concerto, Schumann wrote,
"The works of Chopin are cannons concealed amongst flowers."

6/10/21 Ferdinand Hiller - Piano Concerto No. 2

Hiller studied with Hummel, was at Beethoven's deathbed, attended Schubertiads, and was a childhood friend of the Mendelssohns. His music was greatly admired by Schumann.

6/11/21 Joseph Joachim - Violin Concerto, Op. 3

Joachim was a violin virtuoso, as well as a composer. He often performed chamber works with Clara Schumann. As part of Schumann's circle, he provided technical advice for Brahms' violin concerto.