Anthony Plog on Music

Conversations with performers, composers, and entrepreneurs

Claar ter Horst: The Expert on German Lieder - "Working diligently, refining like a diamond, achieving freedom like a bird, listening with all your senses, and, above all, being amazed like a child."

Anthony Plog, host
Eddie Ludema, producer
Date posted: Aug 2, 2024

Pianist Claar ter Horst is a renowned expert on German Lieder, with a special focus on the music of Robert Schumann and Hugo Wolf. Her impressive career includes collaborations with legendary German singers like Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. Who better to delve into the rich tradition of German Lieder than Claar ter Horst?

Part 1

In Part 1, we explore what sets the German singing tradition apart from those of other countries, using France as a point of comparison. Claar shares her experiences working with Fischer-Dieskau and Schwarzkopf, discussing their unique perspectives on music, singing, and their work ethic. She highlights both the similarities and differences between these iconic artists, offering insights into what it was like to collaborate with them. We also dive into Claar's deep passion for the songs of Robert Schumann, a composer whose work she holds dear. Finally, we unpack a profound quote from Claar's website: “In my view, the creative process is essential: working diligently, refining like a diamond, achieving freedom like a bird, listening with all your senses, and, above all, being amazed like a child.”

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Part 2 opens with a fascinating family anecdote: Claar's grandfather attended the premiere of Mahler’s 5th Symphony, where conductor Willem Mengelberg asked him to delay the train to allow the Concertgebouw Orchestra to play an encore. What a remarkable family legacy! We then continue our discussion on teaching and learning, with Claar emphasizing her belief that dedication and hard work can help students overcome any lack of innate talent or instinct for phrasing.



The podcast theme music, Four Sierra Scenes, written by Anthony Plog, is taken from Crystal Records S205, copyright ©1980 Crystal Records Inc., and is used by permission. Unauthorized duplication is not permitted.