Join us for an afternoon soirée of music by 19th-Century German composers Robert and Clara Schumann, and Johannes Brahms. The concert will begin with the well-known “How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place” from the Brahms Requiem (sung in German) for choir and orchestra. We continue with Lieder (songs) by Robert Schumann sung by baritone Chris O’Rear and tenor Nicholas Mathes and a Romance for oboe by oboist James Sullivan, accompanied on piano by Amy McLelland. The first half of the concert ends with the Lied “Ich stand in dunkle Träumen” by Clara Schumann, arranged for piano and women’s chorus.

The concert concludes with the choral masterpiece "Requiem" by Robert Schumann for choir, orchestra, and soloists Beth Middleton, Jane Stump, Nicholas Mathes, and Christopher O’Rear. Schumann began composing this rarely heard "Requiem" in 1852, and was one of the final works that he completed before his death in 1856. It is speculated that Schumann, like Mozart, was writing his own funeral mass. While the subject of the concert may appear to be somewhat heavy, this will nevertheless be a lovely afternoon of beautiful music that is rarely heard in Birmingham. Please join us for this free concert!