Merz Trio Performs Clara Schumann at Hendricks Chapel
The chamber ensemble brought a floral-themed program to Syracuse University this weekend.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Classical
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The Merz Trio performed a unique concert program titled Clara's Blumentagebuch by way of flowers at Syracuse University's Hendricks Chapel. This event was part of the ongoing Hendricks Chapel Malmgren Concert Series.
Why it matters
The performance highlights a historical intersection of music and personal artifacts, specifically drawing from Clara Schumann's diary containing dried flora kept between 1857 and 1859.
The program featured three instruments and five songs centered on the 19th-century history of Clara Schumann. The ensemble also performed Loren Loiacono's Sonatensatz, which the group originally premiered in 2022.
The players
Merz Trio
This chamber ensemble is known for exploring diverse programs and innovative performance techniques.
Clara Schumann
She was a prominent 19th-century composer and pianist who maintained an extensive flower diary after the death of her husband, Robert Schumann, in 1856.
Amy Yang
She is the pianist for the Merz Trio who employs experimental techniques to alter the sound of the piano.
Hendricks Chapel
Located at Syracuse University, this facility hosts the Malmgren Concert Series which features high-profile musical performances.
The details
Pianist Amy Yang modified the instrument by applying clothespins and aluminum foil to the strings to achieve specific textures. The performance featured historical references to Schumann pressing cypress leaves from the grave of Ludwig van Beethoven into her personal diary.
Timeline
The Merz Trio performed at Hendricks Chapel on October 25, 2026.
Clara Schumann maintained her flower diary between 1857 and 1859.
The trio premiered the work Sonatensatz in 2022.
Industry Dynamics
The concert follows the precedent set by the Malmgren Concert Series of bringing acclaimed classical artists to Syracuse University. This performance highlights a growing industry trend of blending historical research with live experimental chamber music.
Attendees at Hendricks Chapel experienced an experimental approach to chamber music, including modified acoustic instruments. The concert was presented as part of a public series at the university.
The takeaway
Music enthusiasts can look for ways that contemporary ensembles are reviving historical documents to create modern performance art. Exploring the intersection of diaries and musical composition offers a deeper layer of appreciation for 19th-century works.
Further reading
For more on upcoming performances in the region, visit the Classical section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Orange.
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