Sharona Joshua at Ashburnham, Massachusetts, USA
Sunday, 15 May 2011, 4pm
The Frederick piano Collection
15 Water Street
Ashburnham, Massachusetts, 01430-1258, USA
Reconstruction of Clara Schumann’s London Concert (Wednesday, 1st February 1871)
Sharona Joshua 1868 or 1871 Streicher (historical grand piano)
Beethoven Sonata Op.31 No.3
Mendelssohn Frühlingslied, Op.62 No.6
Schumann Davidsbündlertänze Op.6
Bach Italian Concerto, BWV.971
Mendelssohn Prelude in E minor, from Prelude and Fugue, Op.35
Chopin Nocturne in G minor
Chopin Impromptu in C minor, Op.66
For more information about event and venue please go toFrederick Piano Collection website
Photos curtesy of Patricia Frederick
In 1858 Sir Charles Hall formed the ‘Monday & Saturday Popular Concerts’ at the new St. James’ Hall in London. Initially, the months of May and June were reserved for keyboard recitals, and Clara Schumann (nie Wieck) was invited regularly to perform at these events.
From 1856 to 1888 Clara Wieck returned to perform at Crystal Palace Hall and later at St James’ Hall in London on a regular basis. She created imaginative, thrilling concert programmes designed to meet the growing demand for chamber music. She was joined by the greatest artists of the time to perform music ranging from orchestral and operatic repertoire, to more intimate chamber works.
In these concert performances spanning a lifetime, Clara Wieck revived long forgotten music by the masters of the past, and increased the standing of contemporary composers, in particular that of her own husband, Robert Schumann.
150 years later, through detailed research, Sharona Joshua, and her ensemble Concerto Cristofori recreate the actual concert programmes that were performed by Clara in London at the time.
Concerto Cristofori use period instruments, including a Romantic era 1853 Pleyel piano, a type of piano played frequently by Clara Schumann. Coupled with a return to the prevalent techniques of the time, these concert performances present a rare, unique and illuminating experience for today’s audiences.
