Both Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms needed the encouragement of Clara Schumann, an extraordinary pianist and Robert’s wife, before writing their piano concertos. Brahms, shortly after Schumann’s attempted suicide, wrote his first concerto as a tribute to Robert and to Clara. Depression plagued Schumann throughout his life and his Second Symphony, written in the wake of a nervous breakdown, is one of his most personal works. He described it to a friend as his struggle against a ‘dark period… it was the resistance of the spirit that was at work here, and helped me combat my condition.’

Unfortunately Christoph von Dohnányi is unwell and is unable to conduct this concert. We are very grateful to Fabio Luisi, who has stepped in to conduct in Maestro von Dohnányi's place at extremely short notice.