Robert Schumann for a new generation: Pianist Tiffany Poon on the great composer | Music Documentary

What makes Robert Schumann so special? Tiffany Poon has thought a lot about that question. The 26-year old New York pianist has spent years studying the great German Romantic composer and in her opinion: he’s extraordinary. Robert Schumann (1810-1856) wasn’t only a great composer, pianist and conductor – he was also a writer, publisher and musical visionary. We met Tiffany Poon at her concert at the Dresden Music Festival 2023, where she performed works by Robert Schumann at the Grand Garden Palace, including Kinderszenen Op. 15, Davidsbündlertänze Op. 6 and Piano Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22.

In this video we accompany Tiffany Poon as she rehearses and show excerpts from the highly-acclaimed concert. But despite her star status, she still has her feet on the ground. She’s an approachable artist who’s always looking to connect with people. The evening before the concert she organized a pop-up event in a café in Dresden. And after the concert she chatted to her fans offstage, as always. Tiffany Poon talks about her relationship with Robert Schumann, his life and works. We also find out more about the young pianist, who – just like Robert Schumann – does a lot besides music. Tiffany Poon is also a philosopher, vlogger and founder of the non-profit organization “Together with Classical”. Her mission, above all, is to demystify classical music and inspire a wider audience. Tiffany Poon has just recorded an album with works by Robert Schumann: "Diaries: Schumann" will be available from 9 February 2024.

At a glance:
00:00 Schumann: Davidsbündlertänze, Op. 6, 1. Lebhaft (excerpt)
00:27 The beginning of Tiffany Poon's interest in Schumann
01:00 Schumann: Davidsbündlertänze, Op. 6, 3. Etwas hahnbüchen (excerpt)
01:27 Schumann's personality and his episodes of mania and depression
01:58 Schumann: Davidsbündlertänze, Op. 6, 5. Einfach (excerpt)
02:37 Schumann’s secret society “Davidsbündler” and his philosophical mission
03:20 Schumann: Davidsbündlertänze, Op. 6, 13. Wild und lustig (excerpt)
03:55 The characters Florestan and Eusebius - pseudonyms for Robert Schumann
04:53 Rehearsals before the concert at the Dresden Music Festival (part 1)
05:20 How Tiffany Poon approaches a work
06:12 Rehearsals (part 2)
06:52 How to de-mystify classical music
07:31 Pop-up event in a Dresden café
08:00 Tiffany Poon on her first pop-up event
08:14 Fans play a boogie-woogie on the piano
08:57 A fan plays Franz Schubert's Impromptu in A flat major, Op. 90, No. 4 (excerpt)
09:26 Her goal of bringing people together with classical music
09:50 Tiffany's debut concert at just 10 years of age
10:14 Tiffany Poon on her first keyboard instrument, when she was two years old
10:46 Early recordings of Tiffany playing Mozart’s Fantasy in D Minor
11:14 Tiffany Poon on the first steps in her career
12:14 Other early recordings
12:49 Tiffany Poon on her philosophy degree
13:20 Excerpts from Tiffany's YouTube videos
13:51 How to show the human side of classical music on YouTube
14:34 Excerpts from Classical Chats for the charity Together with Classical
14:56 Tiffany Poon on the beginnings of Together with Classical
16:02 Schumann: Kinderszenen, Op. 15, 1. Von fremden Ländern und Menschen (excerpt)
16:32 A good idea outside a toy store at Heathrow Airport
16:46 Schumann: Kinderszenen, Op. 15, 3. Hasche-Mann (excerpt)
17:12 Tiffany reflecting on her childhood
17:55 Schumann: Kinderszenen, Op. 15, 7. Träumerei (excerpt)
18:30 How does Tiffany Poon see her future?
19:04 Schumann: Piano Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22, IV. Presto (excerpt)
19:37 Why Tiffany is never satisfied
20:04 Meet and greet after the concert
20:30 Tiffany Poon on the wonderful connection with her fans
20:53 Schumann: Waldszenen, Op. 82, 7. Vogel als Prophet (excerpt)

Tiffany Poon was born in Hong Kong in 1996. She started piano lessons when she was four. At age nine she moved to New York, where she attended the Juilliard School Pre-College program. Tiffany Poon made her concert debut at age 10. She graduated from high school in 2014 and continued her piano studies as part of the exchange program between Columbia University and The Juilliard School. She also studied philosophy and in 2018 graduated from Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts. Today she performs around the world, sometimes with an orchestra, sometimes solo. In 2017 she started a new project with the help of YouTube – to present her more human side, as well as her classical music. She has a great social media presence, with 320,000 followers on YouTube alone. And she also engages with the community. Tiffany Poon’s non-profit charity “Together with Classical” supports musicians in their training and brings together classical music lovers from all over the world.

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