The Well-Tempered Ear
Nobody expressed romantic love in music better or more often than Robert Schumann | February 14, 2023
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By Jacob Stockinger
Today — Feb. 14, 2023 — is Valentine’s Day.
When it comes to composing music that expresses romantic love, The Ear thinks nobody did it more consistently or better than Robert Schumann.
Inspired by his wife Clara, a former student who defied her father to marry Robert, Schumann (seen below with Clara) put romantic love at the heart of so many pieces.
One of his finest is the second movement of the eight-movement piano suite “Kreisleriana,” Op. 16. Perhaps you will agree after listening to it played by Martha Argerich in the YouTube video below.
Check it out.
Does it move you?
If you have a different choice for a composer or a piece suitable for the occasion today, please include it, perhaps with a YouTube link, as a comment.
Happy Valentine’s Day
The Ear wants to hear.
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The Well-Tempered Ear 
For me, one of his finest expressions of mutual love is the third movement from his Fantasy for solo piano. I know that the movement is generally considered to be an homage to late Beethoven, but I always get the sense of a passionate love duet. In that same vein, Mendelssohn’s Duetto from his Op 39 Song Without Words collection is especially striking. From the popular music realm, my vote goes to Stephen Sondheim’s Too Many Mornings, from his musical Follies.
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Comment by Tim Adrianson — February 14, 2023 @ 8:57 pm
Hi Tim
Thank you for the reply
I too love the last movement of the Fantasy
And I like your interpretation of it.
Love informs so much of Schumann’s music
Your other two choices are also terrific.
Best
Jake
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Comment by welltemperedear — February 14, 2023 @ 11:52 pm
This collaboration between Robt and Clara Schumann “Zwölf Gedichte aus F. Rückert’s Liebesfrühling” (1840-41) stands as a testament not only to their love, but their great respect for one another’s work. It was composed early in their marriage – his Op.37 and her Op.12. In 1841, at the publication of the first edition, Robert purposefully instructed the songs to be published without identifying which “belonged” to each composer, further cementing his desire that the Schumanns were united in all things, including their aesthetic sensibilities. In 1839, Robert wrote to Clara that “we shall publish a good deal under both our names; posterity shall regard us as one heart and one soul and not find out what is yours and what is mine.” https://open.spotify.com/album/320tyf637ohRs6LRNb9zJn
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Comment by KathyO — February 14, 2023 @ 8:01 am
Hi Kathy
Thank you for your reply.
I did not know either the pieces or the story behind the “Twelve Songs from F. Ruekeret’s “Springtime of Love.”
Such blending of two into one!
Cheers,
Jake
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Comment by welltemperedear — February 14, 2023 @ 11:54 pm
Jake, How about Frauenliebe und Leben? Fond memories of singing that with you many years ago!
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Comment by Barb Hughes — February 14, 2023 @ 4:20 am
Hi Barb,
A wonderful choice
and wonderful memories.
We performed it once
and then the group demanded an encore performance months later.
The song cycle sure cast its spell!
Thank you.
Have a great Valentine’s Day!
Fondly,
Jake
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Comment by welltemperedear — February 14, 2023 @ 11:56 pm
I sang “Du Ring an Mein
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Comment by bhughes2014 — February 15, 2023 @ 12:49 am