Clara Schumann (1819-1896) was a German pianist and one of the most celebrated
pianists of the romantic era; over a career spanning sixty-one years she changed the style
and format of the piano concert and the tastes of the listening public; she also composed
piano pieces which are in a conservative melodic vein and have been revived in recent
years; she was married to Robert Schumann and after his death promoted his
compositions in her recital programmes.
Robert Schumann (1810-1856) was a German composer and pianist of the romantic era;
his piano works have a strong melodic content and are influenced by the cadences of
German folk song; his piano concerto, piano quintet and solo piano works are widely
admired.
Cyril Scott (1879-1970) was an English composer of piano pieces in a
romantic/impressionist style.
Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915) was a Russian composer and pianist; his early piano
pieces were in the style of Chopin but later they became much more distinctive and
atonal; his Sonatas and Etudes are popular.
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was a Russian composer and pianist; he wrote piano
concertos, piano sonatas and a set of 24 preludes and fugues.
Peter IlyichTchaikovsky (1840-1893) was a Russian composer and pianist of the
romantic period; his first piano concerto is very popular as are some of his piano pieces
such as ‘The Seasons’.
CORNELIUS
Peter Cornelius (1824-1874) was a composer and had been a pupil of Liszt at the
Altenburg. He heard Liszt play his Sonata there on 23 October 1854.
On 23 August 1859 Liszt wrote from Weimar to Cornelius in Vienna;
‘You are quite right in setting store upon the choice and putting together of the three
Sonatas. The idea is an excellent one and you may rest assured of my readiness to help in
the realisation of your intention as well as of my silence until is quite a settled thing. If
Bronsart could decide on going to Vienna, his co-operation in that matter would certainly
be very desirable. Write about it to him at Danzig, where he is now staying with his
father (Commandant-General of Danzig). Tausig, who is spending some weeks at Bad
Grafenburg (with Her Highness the Princess von Hatzfeld), would also adapt the thing
very well, and would probably be able to meet your views better than you seem to
imagine. As regards Dietrich, I almost fear that he does not possess sufficient brilliancy
for Vienna – but this might, under certain circumstances, be an advantage. He plays
[Beethoven’s Sonata] Op. 106 and the Schumann [Sonata] capitally – as also the
“Invitation to hissing and stamping”, as Gumprecht designates that work of ill odour –
my Sonata [in B minor]. Dietrich is always to be found in the house of Prince Thurn and