Twin Spirits

Introduction

The story of the love between Robert and Clara Schumann is generally well-known, principally through the extensive correspondence between them throughout their lives since the time they met.

Here, the distinguished English-Canadian theatre director John Caird has created a 'salon piece' in which he has selected heavily edited (with modern translations) versions of these letters, and inperspersed readings of  the same with performances of chamber works (some also heavily edited) by both protagonists, together with music by others for which they held a great fondness.

On the surface, it's not the most exciting prospect, although the line-up of performers on this DVD is enough to grab the attention of those who know what's good for them.



Following on from his John Dowland  experience, which I rather liked myself despite some cutting reviews, Sting is given the responsibility of 'being' Robert Schumann, whilst Clara is 'performed' by Trudie Styler.

Whether it was intentional or not, the viewer will draw the conclusion that some comparison is being made in that there's a close similarity between the Schumanns and the..er...well, Mr. & Mrs. Sting. My more cynical thoughts aside, I can see that it can be a good idea to present a famous, married couple reading letters of another famous, married couple from 150 years beforehand, although probably only for a DVD production such as this.

Luckily, there's no hint of Sting or Trudie performing any of the musical excerpts, which are left to the talents of all the fine musicians listed on the review's introductory page, and the proceedings are overseen by Derek Jacobi, seated (and sometimes speaking) as if he were delivering a story for Jackanory.

Audio and Visual

Both are excellent, with clear sound coming from speakers and musicians, and the close-up camera shots are intimate without being overtly intrusive.

Extras

A very nice collection of bits and pieces, the most substantial of which is an hour long chat between the participants, all led by John Caird himself. There are some interesting insights into the performance of Schumann's music, and some less-revealing insights into whether Clara Schumann was actually as good a composer as some maker her out to be, although we're left in no doubt about her prowess as a performer.

There is also a half-hour talk by someone who appears to be a director of the Robert Schumann Haus in Zwickau (a facsimile of the actual house Schumann was born and brought up in). Here we learn more on the lives of Robert and Clara, and come across what seem to be a few inconsistencies with what we have already heard in the longer extra, such as a fairly certain assumption that Schumann died of neurosyphilis raher than as the result of an unknown congenital disease that than through the males of the line.



It all makes for more interesting discussions though.

There is also a 12 minute 'short' on the excellent work of the educational department of the Royal Opera House, which is helped by the purchase of this DVD.

Conclusion

I'm sure the first time I heard about this project a couple of years ago, it was basically advertised as 'Sting performs Schumann' but I'm very pleased it's not exactly that. Rather, Sting and his wife are required to read out the correspondence, and do so with a considerable amount of thought and tenderness, notwithstanding Styler's tendency to 'overact' a little in the more emotional moments.

The success of the performance rests on the sheer power of the musical contributions from everyone involved. It's very hard to create a sense of continuity when all we hear are 'bleeding chunks' but when Simon Keenlyside hits his stride, you are left yearning for the whole song-cycle, and Rebecca Evans does amazing work with Clara's own songs, making them appear as if history has been unkind in its appraisal. The finale of the D minor trio is the most substantial musical item, and a fitting ending to the whole concert, with excellent playing from Paremski, Krylov and Clein.



So, perhaps not something for purists or for those who are already familiar with the story, but even with the occasional 'precious' moment I found a lot to enjoy here.