Schumann: Violin Concerto | Isabelle Faust and the Freiburger Barockorchester
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Published 2020-09-26
The Violin Concerto in D minor is the only concert for violin from Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856), and his last work for orchestra. Written in just two weeks in the Fall of 1853, its conception can be traced in part back to a suggestion from Joseph Joachim – one of the 19th century’s most significant violinists. It was never performed during Schumann’s lifetime; following a suicide attempt in Spring of 1854 he was admitted to a psychiatric hospital, where he would pass away in 1856.
It was only in November 1937 that Schumann’s violin concert received its premiere. An extensively reworked version was played by the Berlin Philharmonic at a propaganda event by the National Socialists. The conductor was Karl Böhm; Georg Kulenkampff played solo violin.
The original version would first be performed in the USA in December, 1937, by Yehudi Menuhin.
For many long years, Schumann’s violin concert remained controversial, many believing they detected hints of the illness Schumann was living with – already public knowledge – in the piece. In the years since, however, it has become a standard in every violinist’s repertoire. It’s one of Isabelle Faust’s credits – she performed the violin concert for her debut with the Berliner Philharmonic in 2009.
The Freiburger Barockorchester (“Freiburg Baroque Orchestra”) was begun with a spontaneous idea that has since developed into a unique, musical success story. On New Year's Eve some 30 years ago, music students in Freiburg decided to form an orchestra dedicated exclusively to historically-informed performance practice, played on period instruments. The FBO performed its first concerts in the Freiburg region in 1987. Today, the orchestra has become world-famous. In addition to its own concert series in Freiburg, Stuttgart and Berlin, the FBO performs in the foremost international concert halls, and is considered one of the world’s most distinguished early-music ensembles.
(00:00) Vigoroso, ma non troppo presto
(16:05) Lento
(21:22) Animato, ma non presto
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All Comments (21)
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I can't help but be moved, cry for the beauty of this masterpiece, enjoy every touch of the orchestra, feel the radiant soul that Schumann embodied. Thank you for sharing this to the world!!!
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Absolutely perfect, Isabelle Faust!
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This violin concerto composed by Schumann is a masterpiece of harmony and delicacy. The violin solos are wonderful and fully framed in romanticism of the period. Isabelle Faust is an amazing violinist, for the delicacy, virtuosity and magnificent sound she extracts from the instrument. This violin concerto is a pearl of this romantic period for its fabulous and incredible beauty. Viva the music of Schumann. The direction and the orchestra are flawless. Thanks for the magnificent recording and the fantastic moments of pleasure it gives us.
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Extraordinary performance ! Solid and powerful as a rock, transparent as glass!
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I am grateful to all artists who take it upon themselves to perform the music of Schumann's last period. This particular performance brings out vividly the inner sense of impending doom that Schumann felt during those last few years, knowing as he did, that his mental universe was in the process of collapse. And yet, the bard still could find within himself angelic music flowing from a heavenly source: There are precious moments of serenity in which Der Dichter accepts his destiny with equanimity.
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This is the best recording of this concerto!! 👏👏The period instruments give such a richness in the sound
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I had no idea Schumann wrote a concerto for violin & orchestra despite enjoying classical music since around 1972. The more I listen to it, the more I love it. The intensity of the first movement. Marvelous!
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This orchstra is one of the best I've heard in my 58 years. The sound, the play, dynamics, tempos, everything absolutely ....well, if not perfect, as close to perfect as possible. It's just right. Today everything is "great", but this orchestra is outstanding. Every time I come here I'm impressed again and again. It reminds me what "playing music" is, was, or should be. The sound.....the sound!! Is it the instruments d'époque? Just fantastic. Thank you for existing! And that goes to Isabelle as well.
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I came across this concerto - performed by Yehudi Menuhin - on a morning concert, sometime in mid-1960s, on BBC's Radio Three. I was in my mid-teens and it held my attention even then, when I was relatively new to listening to classical music. I have heard it live just once - an amateur performance some 15 years ago - and I love it still.
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It was one cold winter day in Salzburg and I was at a friend's place, drunk, a bit high then I left to catch last train to Hallein. It was only 10 mins road but I fell asleep at the train and opened my eyes on a station far from home. It was too cold and dark to bike back, I decided to spend 3-4 hours at the station and wait for the first train, put my headphones and started to listen to radio. Then I heard this concerto for the first time in my life, a lady announced it is the next piece, hmm meh from Schumann?? A composer I respect but not really like much (I feel far from aesthetics of Romanticism, I love everything about Baroque).. I've started to listen this concerto, I liked it so much, I was so shocked how somewhat odd it is compared to other romantic concerti also and it was such great 30 minutes in middle of silence on a winter's night. Then I kept listening and listening it on next months, and now I am more than happy to see there is an authentic recording of it by Freiburg Baroque, this is an INCREDIBLE recording, I love how ''meaty'' strings sound, triple more meaningful timpani part compared to all other modern recordings/how direct brass sounds, how Mrs Faust interprets it incredibly and how nothing is exaggerated is no way. Thank you very much for making this possible! Salutes from İzmir/Turkey. :*
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Fabulous. Got so excited I dropped a glass of decent red wine on the floor. Worth the sacrifice.
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This beautiful Schuman concerto has been very ...very underrated along with many others of his works. It is certainly a master piece. MS Faust plays It with great passion. Thanks!!!👏😃
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Incredible performance by everyone!! This is the best recording of the Schumann's Violin Concerto. It has the perfect tempo which makes it even more beautiful to hear. I am a great fan of Schumann's works and this one is my most favourite piece. Hopefully, in future I will hear this masterpiece live in Berlin. Thanks again for this recording 😁.
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I am very familiar with Schmann's symphonies and piano pieces (including his wonderful piano concerto) but just recently discovered this piece. I am definitely adding it to my favorites. Beautiful.
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This has to be the best performance of this very underrated, and difficult piece ive ever heard. Ms. Faust control of the bow and her tone and phrasing is beyond words. Both soloist and orchestra sounded like one single instrument, the tone of gut strigs is the most natural and "human" for my taste, the violin sound was melted with the orchestra. The only thing I can say is THANK YOU!
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Incredible performance, great interpretation : thank you very much !
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What a unique journey and what a lovely person Isabelle Faust is.
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I didn't know isabelle Faust. What a fantastic musician. Bravo a lot! And the orchestra...oh la la!
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Whether or not he was ill, Robert Schumann nevertheless produced a real gem. It absolutely deserves to be as widely known and performed as Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn, Bruch, Brahms and others. I should add that I feel much the same way about Dvorak's fantastic violin concerto.
