Schumann

About this book

Schumann: A Chorus of Voices is a significant contribution to Schumann's 200th-birthday year, 2010. In these hitherto unpublished interviews and conversations, more than thirty biographers, musicians, critics, and commentators offer their own unique perspectives on Schumann's life, work, controversies, and place in the history of Romantic music. Gathered by Schumann scholar John C. Tibbetts during more than thirty years of travel and research, these intimate and informal talks take the reader "backstage" to the rehearsal hall, scholar's study, archive, and music festival. Included are musicians Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Erich Leinsdorf, Jörg Demus, Emanuel Ax, Elly Ameling, Thomas Hampson, Steven Isserlis, Marin Alsop; scholars and biographers Jacques Barzun, Nancy B. Reich, Peter Ostwald, Leon Plantinga, and Larry Todd; critics and commentators Martin Bookspan, Eugenia Zuckerman, and Maurice Sendak; and archivists Gerd Nauhaus, Ute Baer, and Joachim Draheim. The accompanying disc features Van Cliburn Gold Medalist Jose Feghali performing and discussing Schumann's Carnaval, Opus 9, and pianist Ronald Brautigam performing the complete Noveletten, Opus 21 [Publisher description].