Clara Schumann Documentary & Concert

Accentus Music presents two new productions celebrating the 200th birthday of Clara Schumann on 13 September 2019.

Clara Schumann's life story has become a legend. Her austere childhood, her extraordinary talent as a pianist, her early love for the composer Robert Schumann, which she imposed on her father, and the upbringing of seven children provide enough material for myths and clichés. But who really was Clara Schumann?

The documentary "The Three Lives of Clara Schumann" approaches her personality from different angles – through her letters and diaries, through her compositions, and through musicians who have intensively studied her – as interpreters of her music, as seekers in her biography, as time travellers.

The film by Andreas Morell and Magdalena Zięba-Schwind will premiere on 10 September 2019, at a historic location: the Salles de Pologne in Leipzig. The first broadcast on Arte will take place on 15 September 2019.

On 12 September 2019, Accentus Music will record the birthday concert for Clara Schumann at the Leipzig Gewandhaus with the orchestra that once premiered the work. The Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, conducted by Kapellmeister Andris Nelsons, will play Clara Schumann's Piano Concerto. Pianist Lauma Skride will play the technically demanding piano part. The program also includes Robert Schumann's "Spring Symphony" and a world premiere by composer Betsy Jolas.

The Three Lives of Clara Schumann
A documentary by Andreas Morell and Magdalena Zięba-Schwind
A production of Accentus Music in Coproduction with MDR/Arte, in Cooperation with SVT, supported by MDM.

Clara Schumann Birthday Concert
A production by Accentus Music in Coproduction with MDR/Arte.

Production Company Accentus Music GmbH
Co-Production Company MDR/Arte
Assoc. Prod. Company SVT (documentary)
Duration 56:27 (documentary)
Duration ca. 90 (concert)
Director Andreas Morell and Magdalena Zięba-Schwind (documentary)
Director Ute Feudel (concert)