Robert Schumann
Piano Concerto
in A Minor, Op. 54
In one of the most widely performed concertos of the Romantic era, Schumann skips straight to the soloist’s entrance, an idea that was to be taken up by several later composers, such as Grieg and Rachmaninoff.
Year: 1845
Period: Early Romantic
Piano score: Scanned score 
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A Symphonic Concerto
As adept as Schumann was in writing solo piano music, he had great difficulty with his piano concerto. He attempted to compose one no fewer than three times before completing the Op. 54 in the key of A-Minor. His previous attempts were in D-Minor, F-Major, and Eb-Major. It is among the most-performed of any of the Romantic piano concertos. Early listeners were struck by the extent to which the piano and the orchestra interacted, pursuing their unified symphonic intent, as opposed to the more standard opposing and turn-taking in standard virtuoso concertos of the day. As with many of Schumann’s works, the composer inserts Eusebius and Florestan into the fabric of the piece. In this case, it is the “duelling woodwinds” in the first movement.Background
Clara was instrumental, pardon the pun, in helping Schumann realize his piano concerto. She had seen the aborted earlier attempts and urged him to take his single-movement Fantasie for Piano and Orchestra, which was not selling, and expand it into the concerto. He finished it and was so grateful to his loving wife that she gave the premiere performance even though the work was dedicated to Ferdinand Hiller, who conducted.Forum posts about this piece:
How this composer helps me during my covid19 social distancing by visitor
I cannot thank him enough I had run out [b]toilet paper[/b] And didnt know what I was going to do Lucky for me Bobbie to the rescue Found a suitable a substitute and more appropriate to...
Grad recital repertoire ideas by cuberdrift
Ok guys just want to know your opinion on how difficult/manageable the program I plan for my grad recital will be. 1. Handel's Suite No. 1 in Bb Major 2. Clementi Sonata in b minor, op. 40...
Why do so many think the Schumann concerto sucks? by malwambi
Even those who like Schumann still think his concerto is lousy. Why? I just don't get it. I don't particularly like or dislike his concerto, but why is it so...
schumann a minor conceto by lohshuhan
i was watching numerious videos of the third movement of schumann's a minor concerto. just a question. would it be more appropriate to take it at Gilel's...
Schumann Piano Concerto by tanman
me is learning it! :D For those who have played it, what gave you the most trouble in this...
R.Schumann- Piano Concerto in a minor by amelialw
Hi everyone, I asked my teacher for a concerto today and she decieded to give me R.Schumann's- Piano Concerto in a minor. This is the 1st...
Schumann Piano Cocnerto: Pires - Abaddo by Presto Agitato
I recently got this recording and its great. What do you think about...
Schumann´s Piano Concerto (Zimerman or Perahia) by Presto Agitato
This is a hard one beacause both recordings are super IMO. What do you...
Re: Music that has brought tears to your eyes by pianowolfi
Beethoven op. 111, Rach first sonata, Schumann concerto with Grimaud ( yeah yeah Thal, maybe she would convert you...
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Piano Concerto Op. 54 in A Minor, a composition by the early romantic composer Robert Schumann. It was composed during the Early Romantic period and is part of Miscellaneous pieces by Schumann.