Clara Schumann: 200th anniversary concert – Andris Nelsons, Lauma Skride, Gewandhausorchester

Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto is the composer’s only surviving work with orchestra. She herself premiered the concerto at age sixteen with Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig. Although contemporaries describe the young Clara as shy and reserved, this concert is full of self-confidence, power, and romantic feelings.

On the occasion of the jubilee anniversary of Clara Schumann the concerto was recorded with the ensemble that first performed the work. The Gewandhausorchester Leipzig played on her 200th birthday under the baton of Kapellmeister Andris Nelsons. The pianist Lauma Skride took over the technically demanding piano part.

The festive concert evening was framed by a world premiere of French composer Betsy Jolas (*1926) and the famous Spring Symphony by Robert Schumann.