‘Sometimes it seems as though Iam embarking on completely newpaths in music,’ Schumann wrote,during his famous Liederjahr in1840. He had spent a decadedevoting himself to the piano, beforehis legal battle to marry Clara Wieckagainst her father’s wishes led tomonths of feeling too troubled tocompose. Turning to song begana period of intense creativity: ‘Iwant to sing myself to death likea nightingale.’ Come and exploreSchumann’s wonderful song cyclesin three afternoons presented bycomposer Julian Philips, withpianist Laura Roberts, specialistguest speaker Laura Tunbridge and studentperformers from the GuildhallSchool of Music & Drama.