January 19th: Three Great Composers, Intertwined by Love.
—Mike Tschappat
Sometimes the urge to find a romantic backstory in musical compositions is almost irresistible. It may not be there, but the haze of time has clouded truth and left open possibility.
The lives and music of Clara and Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms were closely intertwined, and the music they composed, perhaps derived in part from their relationships, is some of the finest written in the 19th century.
An all-star ensemble consisting of violinist Keiko Tokunaga, violist Will Hakim, cellist Ani Kalayjian and pianist Mihae Lee will explore the works of these three composers at Lyrica Chamber Music’s third concert of the season, Sunday, Jan. 19, at 3 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township, 240 Southern Blvd.
The program will include Clara Schumann’s 3 Romances for Violin and Piano, Brahms’ C minor Piano Quartet and Robert Schumann’s Piano Quartet in E-flat major.
“What a joy to perform this wonderful program that includes masterworks by three of my favorite composers, all of whom were celebrated pianists and composers of the Romantic era,” Lee said. “The three were closely connected, with Robert, as the oldest, mentor to both his wife, Clara, and also Brahms; Clara was Brahms closest friend and most trusted advisor throughout his life.”
And if you should think that Clara Schumann was the lesser light amongst this trio because her compositions don’t dominate the concert hall like those of the two men, let Tokunaga set you straight.
“Clara Schumann did NOT live in the shadow of her husband,” Tokunaga said. “As a matter of fact, she was the primary breadwinner of the Schumann household. Her career as a pianist was what kept the couple and their children alive, and not Robert’s journalism or composition.
“But even in the midst of financial difficulty, they maintained an immense level of respect for each other’s music; Clara and Robert often composed together, and Clara would most often perform their creation as a part of her recital. Robert openly talked about ‘borrowing’ Clara’s musical ideas and using them as material in his own compositions as well.”
Lee adds, “Of the three, Clara was probably the most renowned as a pianist, and probably would have stood as the compositional equal of the other two if it were not for the social norms of the time against female composers.”
According to Tokunaga, Schumann’s Piano Quartet is a tribute to Beethoven, a composer both Robert and Clara adored. But it’s possible to hear something more in the gorgeous slow movement of the quartet.
“The slow movement has undeniably one of the most beautiful melodies ever written,” Tokunaga said. “One can guess that this movement was meant to be a love letter for Clara, who was on the piano when the premiere performance was given. Clara, the pianist, never plays the melody while the other strings shower her in melodies that are filled with affection and adoration.”
Brahms wrote three piano quartets, one of which, the G minor, Op. 25, was performed at a Lyrica concert in April, 2017. Now the C minor gets its turn. Hakim has considerable affection for the work because of the opportunities Brahms provides for the viola.
“The viola has some great moments throughout,” Hakim said, “like introducing the second theme of the first movement, and providing much of the rhythmic vigor. I love the overall dark character of the piece, as well as its expansiveness and contrasting affects, from driving intensity to achingly beautiful melodies, and the duality of triumph and resignation.”
Hakim has performed extensively throughout the United States and abroad. Praised for his "warmth of tone and musicality" (Leipziger Volkszeitung), he enjoys playing, writing and arranging music in many styles. He has recorded for Albany Records, Decca, and Nonesuch for various artists including Renee Fleming, served as Billy Joel's violist for his Madison Square Garden residency, had numerous TV appearances with Josh Groban, toured the country with Branford Marsalis and the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia.
Praised by Strings Magazine for possessing a sound “with probing quality that is supple and airborne” and for her “pure, pellucid bow strokes,” violinist Tokunaga spends most of her days touring and performing globally as a soloist and chamber musician. A passionate advocate of the chamber music of all eras, Ms. Tokunaga performed, toured and recorded extensively with the internationally acclaimed Attacca Quartet from 2005 to 2019.
Praised by the Boston Globe as “simply dazzling,” Korean-born pianist Lee has captivated audiences throughout North America, Europe and Asia in solo recitals and chamber music concerts, in such venues as Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, Jordan Hall, Berlin Philharmonic, Academia Nationale de Santa Cecilia in Rome, Warsaw National Philharmonic Hall and Taipei National Hall. An active chamber musician, Lee is a founding member of the Triton Horn Trio and was an artist member of the Boston Chamber Music Society for three decades.
Cellist Kalayjian is co-artistic director of Lyrica Chamber Music with pianist David Kaplan, and made her Lyrica debut last April, joining the Tesla String Quartet for a performance of Schubert’s String Quintet. Hailed by the Los Angeles Times as “representing the young, up-and-coming generation,” and a “superb cellist with a large, expressive, singing tone, passionate musicianship, and magnificent playing” by the Journal Tribune, Kalayjian enjoys a prolific career as a soloist, recitalist, chamber musician and educator that has taken her to Japan, Australia, Canada, the Middle East and throughout Europe and the United States.
Tickets for the concerts are $30 ($25 for seniors), and students and children are admitted free. For more information about Lyrica Chamber Music, visit www.lyricachambermusic.org or call 973-309-1668.