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Donald Macleod delves into the turbulent period in which Schumann composed his popular Scenes from Childhood

Robert Schumann’s early training was focused towards his ambition to become a celebrated concert pianist, but a hand injury quickly put that career option out of reach. Schumann turned instead to composition and put all that piano study to good use, writing many important works for his own instrument. This week, Composer of the Week unpacks the moments in Schumann life when he was creating some of his most famous and notable piano works, including one of the most iconic romantic pianos concertos of all time.

Robert Schumann’s affections had turned towards Clara Wieck. Her father, however, was against the match and did everything in his power to separate the young couple. Wieck banned Schumann from seeing his daughter and took her away on piano tours to distance them from one another. The music Schumann composed around this period was often intended for Clara to perform, and it was during this time of uncertainty that Schumann wrote his popular Scenes from Childhood.

Kreisleriana, Op 16 No 8 (Schnell und spielend)
Jonathan Biss, piano

Fantasy in C, Op 17 No 1
Mitsuko Uchida, piano

Drei Gesänge, Op 31
Juliane Banse, soprano
Simon Keenlyside, baritone
Jonathan Lemalu, baritone
Ex Cathedra
Graham Johnson, piano

Kinderszenen, Op 15
András Schiff, piano

Produced by Luke Whitlock, for Ö÷²¥´óÐã Wales