Professor emeritus recital to feature works of Schumann

Robert Schumann is the focus of a special recital in Ramsey Concert Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. 

UGA Hugh Hodgson School of Music professor emeritus of piano Richard Zimdars joins with renowned tenor Lawrence Bakst for a recital examining the work of the 19th-century composer, including a performance of “Dichterliebe,” Schumann’s most famous song cycle and a cornerstone of the genre.

“This recital presents music composed by Robert Schumann at age 18 to 30,” said Zimdars. “Schumann took two songs for voice and piano, composed when he was 18, and later reworked them as the second movements of his first and second piano sonatas. 

“These two songs will be sung and immediately be followed by their later solo piano versions, providing a fascinating glimpse of the remarkable evolution of Schumann's evolution as a composer.”

Both Bakst and Zimdars have strong connections to Schumann and his work. Bakst worked for over 25 years as a professional singer in Germany and has studied the cultural background of Schumann’s era. 

Zimdars, over his 31 years at the School of Music, taught or performed 19 of Schumman’s 26 major solo piano works, including multiple graduate seminars that always included discussion of the final piece of their February recital: “Dichterliebe.”

“The Schumann song cycle “Dichterliebe” (or “A Poet’s Love”) ranks as a touchstone not only in the Romantic vocal literature, but the entire musical production of the Romantic era,” said Zimdars.

This special recital is free and open to the public.

The UGA Hugh Hodgson School of Music sponsors more than 350 performances each year. To view the performance calendar, subscribe to the weekly email concert listing or learn more about the School of Music, go to music.uga.edu.