Schumann: Kinderszenen, Op. 15 | Tiffany Poon, piano

Robert Schumann's "Kinderszenen” ("Scenes from Childhood") is one of the most popular piano works of the Romantic period. The highlight of the 13-part piano cycle is the "Träumerei" (Dreaming). The work is considered the epitome of romantic piano compositions. New York pianist, Tiffany Poon, played Robert Schumann's "Kinderszenen", Op. 15 at the Dresden Music Festival 2023. The concert took place on June 17, 2023, at the Palais im Großen Garten.

(00:00) Coming on stage
(00:21) 1. Von fremden Ländern und Menschen (Of Foreign Lands and Peoples)
(02:02) 2. Kuriose Geschichte (A Curious Story)
(03:07) 3. Hasche-Mann (Blind Man's Buff)
(03:39) 4. Bittendes Kind (Pleading Child)
(04:39) 5. Glückes genug (Happy Enough)
(05:17) 6. Wichtige Begebenheit (An Important Event)
(06:09) 7. Träumerei (Dreaming)
(08:51) 8. Am Kamin (At the Fireside)
(09:47) 9. Schumann Ritter vom Steckenpferd (Knight of the Hobbyhorse)
(10:32) 10. Fast zu ernst (Almost Too Serious)
(12:40) 11. Fürchtenmachen (Frightening)
(14:13) 12. Kind im Einschlummern (Child Falling Asleep)
(16:16) 13. Der Dichter spricht (The Poet Speaks)

Robert Schumann's "Kinderszenen" was composed in 1838 and published the following year without a dedication and with the misleading subtitle "Easy Pieces for the Pianoforte." Unlike the "Album for the Young," which Schumann had composed for "younger children" in his own words, he did not write the "Kinderszenen" for children, but for adults reflecting on their own childhood. At first, the cycle was to be titled "Children's Stories" and preceded or appended to the "Novelettes," Op. 21. However, Schumann later refrained from doing so. He wanted to have the "Kinderszenen" published as a separate opus. Although the work was not very successful during the composer's lifetime, it eventually evolved independently and was highly regarded. It had a significant influence on the Romantic program miniature for piano.

In addition, the "Kinderszenen" resembled a soundtrack that was associated with Robert Schumann's and Clara Wieck's relationship. It is clear from an exchange of letters that Schumann firmly believed that he would marry the pianist and composer. On March 11, 1839, he wrote: "Do you have my 'Kinderszenen' now? Dearest, allow my op. 15 to remind you of my and our future and give me a sincere, blissful kiss, your Robert, who loves you with all his soul." To which she replied on March 22: "To whom did you dedicate your "Kinderszenen"? Isn't it true they belong only to the two of us, and I can't get them out of my mind. They are so simple, so cozy, so completely 'you.' I can't wait to play them again tomorrow." The wedding took place on September 12, 1840.

Tiffany Poon was born in Hong Kong in 1996. She started taking piano lessons at four. At nine, she moved to New York, where she attended the Juilliard School Pre-College program. Poon made her concert debut at 10. She graduated high school in 2014 and continued her piano studies as part of the exchange program between Columbia University and The Juilliard School. Poon also studied philosophy. In 2018, she graduated from Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts. Today, she performs worldwide both with an orchestra and solo. In 2017, she started a YouTube project to share a more personal side. She has an impressive social media presence, with 320,000 followers on YouTube alone. Poon also engages with the community, her charity "Together with Classical" supports musicians during training and brings classical music lovers from all over the world together. Her new album with works by Robert Schumann "Diaries: Schumann" will be available from February 9, February 2024.

Fun fact: The idea to include the 13-part cycle on the program for the Dresden concert came to Poon on a concert tour: "I thought of this Dresden concert program at the Heathrow airport in front of a toy store. And I was looking at a bunch of stuffed animals. And I thought: Kinderszenen."

© 2023 Deutsche Welle

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[ТимофейАнохин-рь]

It's when you have played all the hardest standard repertoire, ballades, kreislerianes and appassionatas of the world, you settle down with something simple and beautiful because you know: you don't have to prove yourself anymore.

[suegha]

I agree with so many of the comments, this is truly amazing. She's brought something new and exciting to an old friend. It's so crisp and clean and so beautifully played.

[KlayDoppar]

The first song is like her theme song to me now😊

[peterwu]

I can't stop listening to this recording - I think it has become one of my favorite

[RolandHuettmann]

Crisp clean playing with so much love for what you do. That is what good life is all about -- forget yourself, let the music speak.

[daucuscarota]

Wunderbar! Schumann ist wirklich ehrlich empfundene tiefste Romantik, ohne unechte Sentimentalität. Toll, wie der Komponist es verstanden hat, Empfindungen und "Szenen" in Musik einzufangen. Was mir an Tiffany Poon immer gefällt, ist ihr selbstvergessenes Spiel, wie sie sich scheinbar ganz ohne Nervosität vor großem Publikum ganz und gar in die Musik vertieft, und dabei aber immer auf höchsten musikalischen und technischen Niveau bleibt.

[neodymidius]

Thank you for this concert! I was there in June and I really loved her concert and the emotions she brought to the audience! Tiffany Poon is such a good pianist

[komoru]

Track 10 is my favorite. I never listened to much of Schumann before Tiffany and have followed her journey on youtube and enjoy her vlogs and she is really inspring.

[nadermadan]

Äußerst differenziert und sehr gefühlvoll🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤

[davidstrumsky]

I've never heard this played so sympathetically and wise. The final movement's evolution to silence is worth all the years' listening I've done to hear this played this way. Thank you, Ms. Poon.

[sfmmmo]

Omg! I'm so happy for her, she's great!!

[calebkinman]

These pieces are close to my heart. They have so much emotional depth. It has always been a question of scholars whether or not they should be played by students. In my piano studies I quit playing etudes and undertook to learn these pieces, taking one a week. I don't think I've ever learned more from a single work. Even though now I am playing much more technically demanding work they remain some of my favorite music. They have so much to teacher in voicing, score interpretation and musical form. Every student should play these.

[DenizInanComposer]

a truely inspiring performance... I love the way how gently she makes all these pieces her own but still keeps the spirit of Schumann alive. Wonderful. Familiar but fresh! GREAT! no.7 and no.12 are truely magic!!!

[peterwu]

This is so wonderful - I have listened like 5 times in a row - this is wonderful

[allanhfchin]

Der Dichter spricht, the last part, has always been my favorite; it never gets old. Schumann is my favorite composer. We are fortunate to have Tiffany here in New York City. 🙂

[wholistens]

Vielen Dank für diesen besonderen Konzertgenuss, diese feinfühlige Interpretation, und auch für die Erläuterungen, die das Verständnis für die Musik ebenso wie die Sympathie für die Pianistin noch einmal vertiefen. Auf die Schumann-CD bin ich sehr gespannt!

[arpeggiomikey]

Another inspired -- and inspirational -- Schumann performance, Tiffany!
Your work here, as in the Davidsbundlertanz, demonstrates a deep and abiding connection you clearly have with Schumann. Clara would be a bit jealous, I think! Many "bravas"! 👏😉

[danoz]

So beautifull and so gentle how you play this piece. Never ever heard of Robert Schumann before since i follow you on you tube. About now i am a huge fan of this great composer. Also i am so glad i could see you perform for real last concert in Amsterdam, wow and wow never will forget this day. Keep on playing this beautifull music Tiffany and hope to see you again soon peforming more dead people music 😆

[dosterix]

"Der Dichter spricht" really is a miniature master piece.

[stevenbeer]

My 'God' that was breath taking!
Cheers!