05/22/2026
Pittsburgh Concert Society is proud to welcome pianist Leslie Amper back to her hometown for a unique and deeply personal program, *Robert and Clara Schumann: Power Couple of the 19th Century*.
“I am excited to present 'Robert and Clara Schumann: Power Couple of the 19th Century' in my hometown of Pittsburgh,” says Amper. “I had a great experience growing up as a musician in Pittsburgh. I am delighted to be asked to bring one of my unique programs ‘home.’”
In this program, Amper intersperses the eight movements of Schumann’s masterpiece "Kreisleriana" with excerpts from letters Robert and Clara Schumann wrote to each other while the work was being composed. The letters offer insight into Robert’s creative process, Clara’s influence and inspiration, and her reactions as she first received the music.
Together, the letters and music guide the audience through the remarkable emotional range of the piece, from moments of extreme passion to deep introspection.
The program concludes with "Stolen Heart," a silent animated film by pioneering filmmaker Lotte Reiniger, accompanied live by Amper’s own compilation score created from Schumann’s music.
📍 Kresge Theater, Carnegie Mellon University
📅 Sunday, June 7 at 2:00 PM
Tickets and more information available at https://pittsburghconcertsociety.org/event/alumni-concert-june-7-2026/