Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Considered perhaps the world's greatest violist, Tabea Zimmermann took a very rare American recital tour this spring with Spanish pianist Javier Perianes, stopping at just a few fortunate venues. Known for enthralling, revelatory performances and recordings, the artists performed masterworks of the viola repertoire: Robert Schumann's Fantasiestücke, Brahms' second viola sonata, the poignant Lachrymae by Benjamin Britten, based on a song by John Dowland, and Shostakovich's op. 147 sonata, completed a month before the composer's death. Viola aficionados enjoyed the chance to hear Zimmermann perform two encores (included here) on the Library's remarkable Stradivari Fulton, ex-Baird, Tuscan-Medici viola, made in 1690. This video includes excerpts from the program, including music by Rober Schumann, Brahms, and Clara Schumann.
[00:30] Robert Schumann/Tabea Zimmermann, Fantasiestücke, op. 73
[13:39] Johannes Brahms, Sonata for Viola and Piano in E-flat major, op. 120/2
[38:20] Clara Schumann/Tabea Zimmermann, Drei Romanczen, op. 22
I. Andante molto
[43:22] Robert Schumann, Märchenbilder, op. 113
IV. Langsam, mit melancholischem Ausdruck
For transcript and more information, visit loc.gov/item/video-11905
Considered perhaps the world's greatest violist, Tabea Zimmermann took a very rare American recital tour this spring with Spanish pianist Javier Perianes, stopping at just a few fortunate venues. Known for enthralling, revelatory performances and recordings, the artists performed masterworks of the viola repertoire: Robert Schumann's Fantasiestücke, Brahms' second viola sonata, the poignant Lachrymae by Benjamin Britten, based on a song by John Dowland, and Shostakovich's op. 147 sonata, completed a month before the composer's death. Viola aficionados enjoyed the chance to hear Zimmermann perform two encores (included here) on the Library's remarkable Stradivari Fulton, ex-Baird, Tuscan-Medici viola, made in 1690. This video includes excerpts from the program, including music by Rober Schumann, Brahms, and Clara Schumann.
[00:30] Robert Schumann/Tabea Zimmermann, Fantasiestücke, op. 73
[13:39] Johannes Brahms, Sonata for Viola and Piano in E-flat major, op. 120/2
[38:20] Clara Schumann/Tabea Zimmermann, Drei Romanczen, op. 22
I. Andante molto
[43:22] Robert Schumann, Märchenbilder, op. 113
IV. Langsam, mit melancholischem Ausdruck
For transcript and more information, visit loc.gov/item/video-11905
