Robert & Clara Schumann: Solitude

Ben Kim, Niek Baar

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Dutch violinist Niek Baar and American pianist Ben Kim reunite Robert and Clara Schumann on ‘Solitude’ through intensive partnership.

On this recording, Robert Schumann’s Violin Sonatas Nos. 2 & 3 are paired with Clara Schumann’s 3 Romances, Op. 22. Listening to her romances, you may notice that Clara quotes Robert’s Violin Sonata No. 1. This romantic gesture underlines the artistic bond between Robert and Clara Schumann.

Dutch violinist Niek Baar and American pianist Ben Kim state: “Robert Schumann brought us together as duo partners and as friends. His writing, obsessively swinging between fiery turmoil and tender longing, gave us a common language to communicate with one another”.

In a world where the importance of social connectedness is ever-emphasized, it may be hard to imagine how loneliness could also be valued, not only to exist but to flourish, alongside partnership. Robert himself called solitude one’s most trusted friend. However, Robert surely would not have been Robert without Clara, and vice versa. They often sent each other secret musical messages in their own compositions.

As Niek & Ben continue: “The fact that Clara quotes Robert’s first violin sonata in her romances is so personal and touching, that choosing to include her romances instead of Robert’s first violin sonata is a tribute not only to their partnership but also to ours.”


Niek Baar – violin
Ben Kim – piano

Tracklist

Please note that the below previews are loaded as 44.1 kHz / 16 bit.
1.
Violin Sonata no. 3, WoO 2 - Ziemlich Langsam
07:32
2.
Violin Sonata no. 3, WoO 2 - Scherzo
02:58
3.
Violin Sonata no. 3, WoO 2 - Intermezzo
02:52
4.
Violin Sonata no. 3, WoO 2 - Finale
07:03
5.
3 romances - Andante Molto
03:02
6.
3 romances - Allegretto
02:58
7.
3 romances - Leindeschaftlich Schnell
03:52
8.
Violin Sonata no. 2 op. 121 - Ziemlich Langsam
14:20
9.
Violin Sonata no. 2 op. 121 - Sehr Lebhaft
04:41
10.
Violin Sonata no. 2 op. 121 - Leise, Einfach
05:36
11.
Violin Sonata no. 2 op. 121 - Bewegt
07:32

Total time: 01:02:26

Additional information

Label

SKU

45123

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Original Recording Format

Release DateSeptember 1, 2023

Press reviews

NativeDSD Blog | HRAudio

(…) Instead of doing the three sonatas, Niek Baar and Ben Kim opted for the inclusion of three romances by Clara Schumann as a token of the mutual love that existed between the Schumanns. These delicate pieces form the heart of the programme and are carefully placed in the middle, to be hugged and played with commensurate tenderness by both Niek and Ben.

With Jared Sacks taking care of the sound, and after reading the interesting liner notes, what more could one possibly ask for?  (…)

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