On September 30th, 1853, twenty year old Johannes Brahms – referral letter in hand, arrived at the Düsseldorf home of the celebrated composer and pianist couple, Robert and Clara Schumman. By the time Robert Schumann voluntarily committed himself into a sanatorium the following year, deep bonds had formed between the three parties. Letters may have been burned as requested, but their musical works stand as intimate diaries, confessing their dreams, regrets, passions and love. 

Influenced by ancient Greek philosophers, modern psychology describes seven distinct types of love. In ancient Indian and Sufi literary thinking, there are seven stages of love. Taking inspiration from this, our programme features seven pieces – four musical, and three literary. Each piece represents one or more types of love. 

Bringing the tones of love to life are the acclaimed and versatile couple, pianist Asako Ogawa, and cellist Nikolay Ginov. The renowned duo frequently perform together at leading venues and festivals internationally. Bridging the gap between speech and music, is Poet/Lyricist Chinwe D. John. The three pieces she narrates are from song cycle Within a Certain Time and Place (released on Voces8 Foundation label), which she created alongside the renowned composer Geoff Hannan. One of the many unique features of John’s dense and lyrical writing, is that her lyrics can function as poems, and vice versa, with no alteration to the text.

Set list:

Clara Schumann – Op. 15: No. 1. Larghetto in F Major 

Oriented – Chinwe D.John 

Robert Schumann – Intermezzo from Faschingsschwank aus Wien Op.26 No.4 

Changing Fate – Chinwe D. John 

Johannes Brahms – Intermezzo Op.118 No.2 

Now as Before – Chinwe D. John 

Johannes Brahms – Sonata for cello and piano, No.1 E minor Op. 38

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Please note there are no assigned seats for this event.

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