Schumann and Chopin at Pałac Biedermanna – recital by Maria Yakymenko

One of the highlights of the recital will be Robert Schumann's 'Carnival' op. 9 – a cycle of short piano pieces composed in the 1830s. The composer created a remarkable gallery of characters meeting at an imagined masked ball. Alongside Pierrot and Harlequin appear musical portraits of people close to Schumann and great artists of his era, including Clara Wieck, Niccolò Paganini, and Frédéric Chopin. The composition is not only a display of pianistic virtuosity; each miniature requires the performer to make rapid shifts in mood, character, and narrative approach. The second part of the program features music by Frédéric Chopin. The B-flat major Variations op. 12 are among his earlier, impressive compositions, showcasing the composer's characteristic style.