Adrian Oldland

Robert Schumann (1810-1856)

Arabeske in C major, Op. 18 (Schumann)

Arabeske in C major Op 18 was written in early 1839, perhaps as an act of appeasement in a troubled time. Schumann’s marriage to his beloved Clara would not take place for more than a year and the couple were busy petitioning the courts for permission to marry, over Clara’s father’s objection to the union. Robert had been courting Clara since 1835 after a previous romance came to an end.

Robert Schumann (1810-1856)

Papillons, Op. 2 (Schumann)

i Waltz prestissimo
ii Waltz
iii Waltz
iv Waltz
v Polonaise
vi Waltz
vii Waltz semplice
viii Waltz
ix Waltz – prestissimo
x Waltz – Vivo
xi Polonaise
xii Finale

Papillons (French for “butterflies”), Op. 2, is a suite of piano pieces written in 1831 by Robert Schumann when he was 21 years old. The work is meant to represent a masked ball, where attendees wear masks and dance the night away in a whirlwind of elegance and intrigue. Schumann was deeply inspired by Jean Paul’s novel Flegeljahre (The Awkward Age) while composing this suite, seeking to capture the essence of the characters and their experiences within the ball.

Johannes Brahms (1883-1897)

Rhapsodies, Op. 79 (Brahms)

i Agitato, ii Molto passionato, ma non troppo allegro

The Rhapsodies, Op. 79, for piano were written by Johannes Brahms in 1879 during his summer stay in Pörtschach, when he had reached the maturity of his career. They were inscribed to his friend, the musician and composer Elisabeth von Herzogenberg. At the suggestion of the dedicatee, Brahms reluctantly renamed the sophisticated compositions from “Klavierstücke” (piano pieces) to “rhapsodies”.

Performers

Adrian Oldland - Piano

Adrian began his musical studies at the age of seven when he joined his local church choir. His love for the piano began shortly after joining, where he received his first piano lessons. Adrian’s talent was immediately spotted and remarkable progress led to early successes in competitions and music festivals. His love in particular for music of the Romantic Period, brought Adrian his first victory where he was awarded first place at the Chelmsford Competitive Festival of Music for the ‘Roots trophy’ (2007) playing works by Chopin.