The cycle of twenty-six songs (click here for a taste) was composed in the spring of 1840 and dedicated to Schumann's fiancée, Clara, as a gift on the eve of their wedding. The wedding itself was permitted only after Schumann had gone to court to set aside a legal objection from Clara’s father to the wedding

 

The texts are drawn from a variety of German poets, including Rückert, Goethe and Heine. There are also eight by the Scottish poet Robert Burns, translated into German by Wilhelm Gerhard. 

 

The work as a whole is a masterly example of the German Liederkreis (ring of songs) in which the text and the music are both interpreted by voice and piano in perfect artistic collaboration. Translations of the text from the original German will be provided for this performance. 

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Recital 1: Saturday 5th July 2025 at 3pm

Andrew Mitterdorfer Residence, 3 Garden Square, Gordon​

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Recital 2: Thursday 10th July 2025 at 6pm

​David G. Miller Studio, 1/38 Norton Street, Leichhardt

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Entry was by donation with proceeds donated to the Richard Gill School in Muswellbrook, a comprehensive, secular, independent primary school, with a music focus. School motto: Musica Motuque Floreamus (through music and movement we flourish)