Leonard Elschenbroich & Alexei Grynyuk

Explore the musical love triangle between Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms.

Discover music steeped in romance from three passionate composers whose lives were intimately connected from the mid 19th century onwards. Cellist Leonard Elschenbroich, praised by the New York Times for his 'expressive depth’, joins Alexei Grynyuk, described by BBC Music Magazine as a pianist of supreme technical virtuosity.’ Together, they bring this heartfelt repertoire to life.

In 1849, Robert Schumann experienced one of his most remarkable bursts of creativity, composing around forty beautifully crafted works, including the piece featured in this concert. Clara, in 1853, wrote her sumptuous Romances (originally for violin) in the same year that the Schumanns befriended the 20-year-old Brahms.

Robert’s untimely death in 1856 left Brahms to support Clara, having fallen in love with her. While Clara was devoted to her late husband, their relationship remained platonic, and Brahms’ music, so expressive of deep emotion, may have been an outlet for his unrequited love.

Supported by Tanya and David Parker and Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Edinburgh

Robert Schumann Three Romances for Oboe, Op.94 Clara Schumann Three Romances for Violin, Op.22 Johannes Brahms Vier ernste Gesänge (Four Serious Songs), Op.121 Cello Sonata No.2 in F Major, Op.99