Max Derrickson

Writing Music Program Notes for Over 30 Years

Shostakovich – Concerto No. 1 for Cello and Orchestra in E-flat Op. 107

Dmitry Shostakovich (1906-1975) Concerto No. 1 for Cello and Orchestra in E-flat Op. 107 1. Allegretto 2. Moderato 3. Cadenza 4. Allegro con Moto [. . .] Dmitry Shostakovich (1906-1975) on the other hand was the Soviet prodigy, and was often used as a political tool and icon as the first composer trained in the […]

Schumann – Symphony No. 4 in D-minor, Op.120

Robert Schumann     (b Zwickau, Germany, June 8, 1810; d Endenich,Germany, July 29, 1856) Symphony No. 4 in D-minor, Op.120 1. Zeimlich langsam – Lebhaft 2. Romanze: Ziemlich langsam 3. Scherzo: Lebhaft 4. Finale: Langsam – Lebhaft [. . .] His second full symphony was his D-minor.  Schumann withheld it from publication for another ten years, however, […]

Schumann – Symphony No.3 in E-flat, Op. 97 (“Rhenish”)

Robert Schumann (1810-1856) Symphony No.3 in E-flat, Op. 97 (“Rhenish”) 1. Lebhaft 2. Scherzo 3. Nicht schnell 4. Feierlich 5. Lebhaft [. . .] Robert Alexander Schumann was born in 1810 to a bookseller and publisher who fostered in him an affinity for the glories of literature. The culmination of this was introduced in the […]

Schumann – Piano Concerto in A Minor, Opus 54

Robert Schumann (1810-1856) Piano Concerto in A Minor, Opus 54 1. Allegro affettuoso 2. Intermezzo: Andantino grazioso 3. Allegro vivace Schumann began work on this concerto in 1841, just after his long-anticipated marriage to Clara Wieck, and amidst sketches for all four of his symphonies. This was a remarkably prolific period for Schumann, reflecting his […]

Schumann – Introduction and Allegro Appassionato in G Major, Opus 92

Robert Schumann (1810-1856) Introduction and Allegro Appassionato in G Major, Opus 92 The life of Robert Schumann seems to capture the essence of the glory and tragedy of the “Romantic artist.” He was brilliant, a talented pianist and extraordinary composer, obsessed with the “art” of music. He loved another brilliant pianist, Clara Wieck; against her […]

Schumann – Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, in A minor, Op. 129

Robert Schumann     (b Zwickau, Germany, June 8, 1810; d Endenich,Germany, July 29, 1856) Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, in A minor, Op. 129 1. Nicht ziu schnell (not too fast) 2. Langsam (slowly) 3. Sehr lebhaft (very lively) Piano was Schumann’s great love.  Being obsessive in nature, he practiced at the keyboard endlessly, even inventing a […]