Clara Schumann was, by all accounts, one of the best pianists of the 19th century. She was also a gifted composer and brilliant conveyer of emotions. September 2019 is her 200th birthday, and we celebrate with a charming, family-owned local winery. Head to Traders Point Winery and taste these wines, the ideal companions for music composed by a classical music pioneer. Words by Nicholas Johnson, Ph.D. Photos by Esther Boston Photography. Adapted from Classical Music Indy’s NOTE Magazine.
Classical Pairings
Celebrate Clara Schumann’s 200th Birthday with Local Wine
By: Nicholas Johnson, Ph.D.
The Wine: Traminette
by Traders Point Winery
The Composition: Mein Stern
by Clara Schumann
Traminette is the signature wine of Indiana, and this one is worth your attention. A crisp white wine with a hint of sour, it oozes with notes of sour apple and a touch of sun-ripened sweetness.
This wine’s hesitation and tenderness pair perfectly with Schumann’s lovely art song Mein Stern. Her husband is better known for his art songs than Clara, but for my money, Robert Schumann’s work doesn’t capture the sense of longing and yearning found in Mein Stern and others composed by Clara. Maybe it’s due to her tangled relationship with Johannes Brahms. Listen for the sense of urgency as the soprano asks her star to “appear as my friend’s bright angel in his dark night.” This wine cuts through the darkness, but never forgets its past.
The Wine: Rhubarb
by Traders Point Winery
The Composition: Three Romances for Violin and Piano, Op. 22
by Clara Schumann
You will either love or hate this wine. I’m happily in the love category, surprised by the fruitiness and perfect balance of sweetness. It is made from fermented rhubarb and added sugar, but the tartness is remarkably mellow.
This piece was among the last composed by Clara Schumann, and it displays tremendous maturity and depth. Three short movements express regret, love and the complexity of life.
Schuman surprised audiences of the 19th century, many of whom believed a woman should not compose music. After hearing this composition, few ever questioned her work again. It is truly a masterwork of emotional expression. Give this unique wine a try, and reflect on artistic pioneers from the past and present.
The Wine: Manslave (Port Style Blend)
by Traders Point Winery
The Composition: Soirées musicales, Op. 6
by Clara Schumann
This port blend was the highlight of my tasting. Admittedly, it was also my last after a lengthy session, so the mood was right. This fruit-forward, brandy-infused blend is not to be missed. It is seductive, alluring, complex and bittersweet. And here’s the kicker: Traders Point Winery sells it in a bottle dipped in dark chocolate from the Schakolad Chocolate Factory, a widely-acclaimed brand of European chocolate. The bottle! Dipped. In. Chocolate. Seriously, just go buy one now. I’ll wait.
Okay, let’s talk about the perfect music to enjoy alongside this delicious port, dipped in chocolate! Clara Schumann wrote this collection of six short piano works when she was just 17 years old. It is full of youthful turns of emotion, each one deeply and purely felt. Its harmonic richness matches the depth of this wine. There is boldness, but occasional timidity; emotional reservation, but sporadic outpourings of passion; a fear of loss, countered by moments of reckless abandon.
Traders Point Winery is one of Indiana’s newest wineries. Their tasting room at 5524 West 84th Street is open noon – 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and Sunday 1 – 5 p.m.
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