Schumann Symphony 3 ‘Rheinische’

Alain Altinoglu

A romantic journey along the banks of the Rhine. This was Robert Schumann’s main source of inspiration when he composed his Symphony No. 3. The sense of happy peacefulness that marked those few days spent travelling through the Rhineland with his wife Clara characterizes the entire score, which is also marked by subtle evocations of the river, the traditional dances of the region and even a solemn ceremony in Cologne Cathedral.  

The river also plays a central role in Jacques Offenbach’s opera Les fées du Rhin. From the very first notes of the overture, the musical theme associated with the singing of the elves and spirits of the Rhine unfolds, a theme that Offenbach would reuse a few years later in the famous Barcarolle of Les contes d’Hoffmann. To accompany these two romantic works, Alain Altinoglu turned to contemporary music, in particular Benoît Mernier’s Dickinson Songs. This song cycle for a chorus of young girls and orchestra pays tribute to the poetry of Emily Dickinson. An evening imbued with wonder, sweetness and joy.