For the concert Klavierliefde by pianist Yukiko Hasegawa and the Intercontinental Ensemble, Bianca Bongers was asked to compose a piece. It became ‘Ontluiken 花’ for piano solo and ensemble (2025), in which Bongers strives for an intense listening experience. The music grabs the listener and constantly switches between introverted and extroverted atmospheres. Although Bianca Bongers has already written many works, her first solo concert will premiere with ‘Ontluiken 花’. 

The concert will pay tribute to the Schumann couple. They played the piano and also composed. Pianist Yukiko Hasegawa and the Intercontinental Ensemble will perform the Piano Concerto in a opus 7 by Clara Schumann and the Piano Concerto in a opus 54 by Robert Schumann. Both concertos in an arrangement by Ernst Spyckerelle. In these works, the piano has a virtuoso, strongly soloistic role. There are also moments when the piano accompanies the orchestra, or when a duet is created. Hasegawa wanted to further develop such a conversation between soloist and ensemble and commissioned Bianca Bongers to compose a new work in which this was to be emphasized.

The reason for this project lies in Yukiko Hasegawa’s admiration for Clara Schumann. Clara was, against the social norms of her time, a leading woman: breadwinner, piano virtuoso and highly respected teacher. Hasegawa strives to honor this unique role by paying attention to the historical female representation in classical music. Hasegawa explains: “Women are very underrepresented in the classical music tradition. Performing three piano concertos in one program is my tribute to Clara and to all women who historically often remained in the background. Clara was an exceptional figure in that respect: thanks to her fame as a pianist, she was better known than Robert at the time. And with her enormous dedication and practical talent, she put the compositions of her husband, Robert Schumann, on the map. But it is an eternal shame that she pushed composing into the background, because there is no doubt that she was a genius composer herself. Her piano concerto, which she wrote at a very young age, is a good example of that.”

Program:

Clara Schumann-Wieck Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 7 (20’), adj. Ernst Spyckerelle (in three movements)

Bianca Bongers ‘Ontluiken 花’ for nonet & piano solo (10’), piano concerto in one movement

Robert Schumann Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 (32’), adj. Ernst Spyckerelle (in three movements)