Clara Schumann as innovator and collaborator: The Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 17

Abstract

This paper traces the musical development of pianist and composer Clara Schumann (1819-1896) leading to the composition of the Piano Trio, Op. 17, one of her most significant works. Like her to contemporaries, the virtuosi Anton Rubinstein and Sigismond Thalberg, Clara Schumann was a gifted pianist and one of the leading musicians of her day. Until recently, little was known about her role as a composer, and her works were consistently relegated to the domain of the "salon." The musical collaboration between Clara and Robert Schumann was productive due both to the close nature of their relationship and their mutual respect for each other's musicianship. Throughout their lives, they developed a lively artistic exchange which included borrowing musical materials from each other. Not coincidentally, the first Piano Trio of Robert Schumann, a work of substantial craftsmanship, bears a strong musical resemblance to Clara's Piano Trio, Op. 17, written one year earlier. In addition, to aid the performer unfamiliar with the Piano Trio, a discussion of performance considerations is included