Schumann, Robert / orch. Mahler, Gustav

Robert Schumann – Symphony No. 3 in E flat major “Rhenish” op. 97

(b. Zwickau, Kingdom of Saxony, 8 June 1810 – d. Endenich, Rhine Province, now part of Bonn, 29 July 1856)

Premiere: February 6, 1851
Conductor: Robert Schumann

with ‘Instrumental Retouchings’ by’
Gustav Mahler
(born in Kalischt, Bohemia, July 7, 1860 – died in Vienna, May 18, 1911)

Lebhaft p.1
Scherzo. Sehr mässig p.22
Nicht schnell p.32
Feierlich p.38
Lebhaft p.47

Preface
Robert Schumann composed his first symphony in 1841, when he was 31 years old, successful with his chamber music and recognised as a master of the small ensemble. He had just completed his “song year”, a fruitful period of intensive engagement with setting poetry to music, during which 138 of his 250 songs were composed, and had started a family with Clara Wieck, the busy and ambitious pianist, against her father’s opposition. Schumann was now faced with the challenge of making a financial contribution to family life with his work. Even for a composer of his popularity, this was hardly possible with chamber music. On the other hand, a genre for large ensembles promised good pay – the symphony. In the following years, he composed four symphonies, not without encouragement from his energetic wife. …

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