Konversationsabend: Schumann, Brahms, Clara Wieck – A Fateful Encounter

Our March meeting takes place on Wednesday, March 8, 6 – 8:30 pm in the Ratskeller at the German Society. Our topic will be: Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms, Clara Wieck – A Fateful Encounter. An evening with Steve Schatz. Most lovers of classical music will be more or less familiar with the famous meeting of Robert Schumann, Clara Wieck and Johannes Brahms in September 1853 in Düsseldorf, an encounter that impacted the history of Romantic classical music as well as the lives of the three people involved. Schumann’s mental health was about to take a tragic turn, but he was still well enough to recognize the extraordinary musical genius of the very young Brahms. In a leading music journal of the time, he announced Brahms as a future star on the horizon of classical music, “an eagle about to rise”, which indeed launched Brahm’s career. A friendship developed that included Clara, an outstanding pianist and a composer herself. When Schumann’s condition worsened, Brahms stayed at Clara’s side until Schumann’s death in 1856, and friendship became love. Steve Schatz obtained degrees in Music History, Theory and Composition at Indiana University and at Temple University. He also studied in Salzburg, and will present partially in English and partially in German. He will introduce us to the details of this fateful encounter with a gripping Power Point presentation which I attended before and can’t wait to share with you. As always – all are invited, all are welcome. This event is co-sponsored by the Music Committee of the German Society. Refreshments will be served.