2019 marks the 200 th anniversary of the birth of Clara Schumann, who, together with Fanny Mendelssohn, is considered one of the greatest female Romantic composers: the former was Robert Schumann’s wife and the latter was Felix Mendelssohn’s sister.
Two child prodigies, impressive pianists and skilful composers in a male- dominated world, blossomed as far as their time would allow. Fanny’s songs found their way into collections published under her brother’s name, while Clara’s exuberant creativity waned as her husband’s mental state deteriorated. The two trios for piano and strings, one written by Clara at the age of 17, and the other by Fanny at the age of 41, the year she died, are among their best known works.
The Galan trio stood out in the ‘Open Auditions’, an Athens Concert Hall project which, for the last three years, has offered opportunities to talented and mostly unknown young musicians, and has provided a platform for them.