Robert Schumann - Cello concerto, Op. 129 - Complete performance

Robert Schumman wrote his Cello concerto in A minor, Op. 129 in two weeks, finishing it in October 1850. It was never played during his lifetime, premiering in 1860 in a concert in honour of the 50th anniversary of Schumman's birth. The piece was titled as a concert piece (not concerto) in the autograph score, suggesting that Schumman wanted to introduce some departures from the traditional concerto structure. He certainly did so, as this concerto is considered one of his most particular works due to its structure, its lack of virtuoso passages and its general inward nature. The score got negative feedback, so he could never premiere it during his lifetime., though it has become a standard repertoire piece since. The concerto is in three movements, which flow into each other with no pause. It is scored for solo cello, two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, timpani, and strings. A violin version exists, adapted by Schumman himself for Joseph Joachim.

Robert Schumann was a German composer, aesthete and influential music critic. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most representative composers of the Romantic era. Schumann left the study of law, intending to pursue a career as a virtuoso pianist. He had been assured by his teacher Friedrich Wieck that he could become the finest pianist in Europe, but a hand injury caused by a device he created to develop the strength and independence of his fingers ended this dream. One of the most promising careers as a pianist had thus come to an end. Schumann then focused his musical energies on composing. Schumann's published compositions were written exclusively for the piano until 1840; he later composed works for piano and orchestra; many lieder (songs for voice and piano); four symphonies; an opera; and other orchestral, choral, and chamber works. His writings about music appeared mostly in the Neue Zeitschrift für Musik (New Journal for Music), a Leipzig-based publication which he jointly founded.