Those twin cornerstones of musical Romanticism, Frederic Chopin and Robert Schumann, were both born in 1810 and much of their piano music has become among the most loved and frequently performed of the entire repertoire.

Initially friends and allies, there was later a cooling off between them and their creative personalities were complementary but fundamentally distinct: Slavic melancholy and French elegance on the one hand, passionate German Romanticism tempered by classical solidity on the other.

Both were geniuses of the piano but they require subtle differences of approach in performance, and in this course we will explore in depth the stylistic and technical issues peculiar to each composer.

You will gain an enhanced understanding of Chopin and Schumann and an ability to perform Romantic music with greater mastery.

Each participant should bring a minimum of one piece by both Chopin and Schumann.
In the case of Schumann’s many long cyclical works it is not necessary to bring the entire work, similarly with Chopin, a sonata movement or a few Preludes is acceptable.