Elisenda Fábregas: Uphill (from Clara to Robert) - Anna Khomichko (piano), Roger Morelló Ros (cello)

This beautiful piece is written by Catalan-American composer Elisenda Fábregas in 2021 and dedicated to us.
More about Elisenda Fábregas: elisendafabregas.com/
Program notes by Elisenda:
"My inspiration to write this one movement work came from two sources. I was inspired by a poem Pedro Padilla (16th century Spain) entitled "Sierra aspera..." used by R. Schumann. I tied this poem with Clara and Robert Schumann's relationship. I took the side of Clara as wife/caregiver of Robert Schumann and imagined her struggles and feelings. Besides her duties as a wife and emotional support to Robert Schuamnn's, Clara was also the mother of eight children, pursued her own career as a pianist/composer and lefr us 66 compositions. Sje was regarded as one of the most distinguished pianists of Romantic era, with over 61-years of concert career, changing the format and repertoire of the piano recital from displays of virtuosity to programs of serious works.
We know from her quotes that she felt insecure as a composer in a time when women were seen only as mothers and not fit to pursue creative endeavors such as writing music. There were no women composers models to be followed. A famous quote from Clara corroborates such feelings:
" I once believed that I possessed creative talent, but I have given up this idea; a woman must not desire to compose - there has never yet been one able to do it. Should I expect to be the one?"
Clara Schumann was a super woman doing it all, like many others during her time. This music in my way of honoring Clara Schumann."
The recording is made on 10th of September 2022 in Schloss Heiligenberg live during our concert. Many thanks to Schloss Heiligenberg e.V. for this video!

[@AnnaKhomichkoPianist]

In the program notes Elisenda Fábregas, the composer of this piece writes: “…I took the side of Clara as wife/caregiver of Robert Schumann and imagined her struggles and feelings. Besides her duties as a wife and emotional support to Robert, Clara was also the mother of eight children, pursued her own career as a pianist/composer and left us 66 compositions. She was regarded as one of the most distinguished pianists of Romantic era, with over 61-years of concert career, changing the format and repertoire of the piano recital from displays of virtuosity to programs of serious works.
We know from her quotes that she felt insecure as a composer in a time when women were seen only as mothers and not fit to pursue creative endeavors such as writing music. There were no women composers models to be followed. A famous quote from Clara corroborates such feelings:
“ I once believed that I possessed creative talent, but I have given up this idea; a woman must not desire to compose - there has never yet been one able to do it. Should I expect to be the one?”
Clara Schumann was a super woman doing it all, like many others during her time. This music in my way of honoring Clara Schumann.”

[@R.and.R.]

Beautiful playing as always Anna!!

[@AnnaKhomichkoPianist]

Thank you very much 🙌

[@davidherringgo]

So beautiful . Have a great day. Bravo to both of you . Thanks for sharing this performance 🙌

[@DrQuizzler]

That's a great piece, and a great tribute to Clara Schumann. It's too bad she couldn't see how highly her work would be regarded all these years later. That knowledge would surely have been enough to keep her male chauvinist detractors at bay.
The lyrical flow between your piano and his cello is seamless and marvelous. Beautifully done, both of you!!

[@joannawronska4100]

Dear Anna and Mr.Roger, SO WONDERFUL AS ALWAYS!!!!! Thank you for this Catalan/American composer (my musical novelty) and for an excellent impressive performance, congratulations to both artists, already over 2.210 subscribers to your great channel, you deserve more and more...,I've added your video to my public old playlists called "My Favourites" and "Anna Khomichko", again my best regards from quite cold Poland, have a nice relaxing Sunday/happy sunny new week. Joanna

[@AnnaKhomichkoPianist]

Thank you so much, Joanna, greetings back! 🙏🙏🙏

[@easyreader8859]

Thank you for the share of your music. I send you good vibes for your album about Mozart.

[@AnnaKhomichkoPianist]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@easyreader8859]

@@AnnaKhomichkoPianist You are welcome.

[@andresgunther]

Big round of applause from my part to you, Roger, and Elisanda Fabregas. A beautiful work, beautifully performed! I will try to find the poem in order to get a full understanding.
("Sierra" has two meanings in Spanish: Mountain range and [carpenter] saw. "Aspera" means rough. So my guess for the title is "Rough Mountain Range")

[@aritomoshinozaki7124]

I was thinking for a second that you were channeling Clara Schumann…

[@davidherringgo]

Powerful performance. Not used to see you reading the music .

[@AnnaKhomichkoPianist]

Thank you! The chamber music is always performed with music by all the musicians in an ensemble :)