Schumann’s Piano Quintet

 

It was a delight to perform Schumann's Piano Quintet with the Hampden Quartet this weekend. For me this piece (and perhaps especially its haunting slow movement) encapsulates the whole character of Schumann more completely and succinctly than any other – the deeply troubled soul, yet so capable of joy and love. It was a rare delight to perform this in the 'chamber' setting for which it was intended; Emile Woolf hosts several concerts a year in his beautiful drawing room (using his superb Steinway, one of their concert hire instruments last century and apparently Rachaninov's instrument of choice for his own performances in London!). We were delighted to hear that a hefty cheque was sent to Maxability Limited, the charitable company that raises money to enhance the lives of disabled adults living in the London Borough of Barnet, by providing tuition in art, pottery, computing skills and holding exhibitions of their work.