Two overwhelming masterpieces

The pianist Nikola Meeuwsen is a rising star: on TV, in festivals and recently with the Residentie Orkest as soloist in Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto. For his first solo recital in The Hague, his hometown, he combines two masterpieces: the overwhelming Fantasy that Robert Schumann dedicated to Franz Liszt in 1836 – with “for the one who listens in secret” as its motto – and the titanic Sonata in b minor that Liszt dedicated to Schumann as a token of his gratitude. These works are often heard in a large hall where you sit a block away from the piano. But in the 19th century, these pieces were performed in the salons. We will recreate this setting, to enable you to listen to this repertoire close to the pianist.

Liszt and Schumann had a complicated relationship. Schumann expressed his disgust when Liszt travelled to his recitals in a white horse-drawn carriage, surrounded by hysterical fans. However, this did not prevent Liszt from playing and conducting Schumann’s works and writing about his colleague with admiration.