Robert Schumann

Classical Music / Great Composers

Romantic Composer Robert Schumann,
Master in Piano Music and Voice

Robert Schumann's life and works revisited on his birthday anniversary. A poetic musician, his works relate to literature - poems, novels and plays; especially his piano music Carnaval and Scenes from Childhood's Kinderscenen are most popular.

Robert Schumann (June 8, 1810, in Zwickau, Saxony - July 29, 1856, in Endenich, Germany) was a German composer of the Romantic period. His parents were not musical but they encouraged his interest in music with Piano lessons from the age of 10.

His family was later beset by tragedy. When Schumann was in his teens, his father died and his sister committed suicide in quick succession, events that were to have a deep impact on the young musician. Initially music was to take a back seat in his life. For his main subject he studied law at Leipzig while simultaneously continuing his music studies. One of his music teachers was Friedrich Wieck whose daughter Clara (eventually becoming his wife) showed a great talent at the piano while she was only 9 years old.



A tragedy hit Schumann when a mishap damaged one of his hands spoiling his chances as a pianist. After the accident, Schumann concentrated more on composing. However, he kept his association with the Wiecks. When Clara was of the right age, he sought to marry her but her father forbade it.
Following a legal action, Schumann was able to marry her shortly before her 21st birthday.

Clara was extremely talented in her own right as both pianist and composer, and her career became secondary to that of her husband's. There are suggestions that Robert's jealousy was a factor in constraining her career. Despite bringing up and rearing their children, Clara played a significant role in classical music, through her expert advice and encouragement to other composers including Brahms.

Schumann composed worthwhile music, but he suffered from mental illness with periods of self-doubt and depression. Following a suicide attempt he was committed to an asylum where he was to die two years later.

Family of Robert and Clara Schumann

 

The Schumanns married on September 12, 1840, and the couple had eight children. They had eight children; they were considered the musical power couple of the 19th-century. The lives of the Schumann childre were deeply intertwined with the artistic triumphs and personal tragedies of their famous parents. Their stories reflect the challenges of growing up in a family celebrated for its musical genius nevertheless beset by profound hardships.  Here's a brief look at the eight children's lives. 

Marie Schumann (1841–1929)

Marie was born on September 1, 1841, the eldest child of the Schumanns. Her godfather was the composer Felix Mendelssohn. From a young age, she received piano lessons from her parents and other notable musicians, including Johannes Brahms. After Robert's hospitalisation in 1854, Clara's touring schedule intensified, and Marie assumed significant household responsibilities, effectively becoming a second mother to her siblings. She never married and remained a support to her mother throughout Clara Schumann's life. Following Clara's death in 1896, Marie became the executor of the Schumann estate. 

 

Elise Schumann (1843–1928)

Elise was born on April 25, 1843. Details about her life are less documented compared to some of her siblings. She lived through the many challenges that befell the Schumann family but maintained a relatively private existence.

 

Julie Schumann (1845–1872)

Julie was born on March 11, 1845. She was known for her beauty and gentle nature. She married Count Vittorio Amadeo Radicati di Marmorito in 1869. Tragically, Julie died of tuberculosis in 1872, leaving behind two young children to their mother Clara to take care. 

 

Emil Schumann (1846–1847)

Emil was born on February 8, 1846, but his life was tragically short. At just over a year old, he died on June 1, 1847, a profound loss for the family.

 

Ludwig Schumann (1848–1899)

Ludwig was born on January 20, 1848. He exhibited musical talent but struggled with mental health issues, similar to his father. His condition deteriorated and he too was institutionalized, a situation Clara described as having to "bury him alive." He remained in care until his death in 1899.

 

Ferdinand Schumann (1849–1891)

Born on July 16, 1849, Ferdinand was born on July 16, 1849. He faced numerous challenges throughout his life. He married and had children, but his financial instability and health issues plagued him. He died in 1891 and after his death, Clara took on the responsibility of raising his children.

 

Eugenie Schumann (1851–1938)

Eugenie wa born on December 1, 1851. She was the youngest daughter. She pursued a career in music, becoming a pianist and teacher. She also authored "Erinnerungen" ("Memoirs"), published in 1925, providing valuable insights into her family and their close friend composer Johannes Brahms. She remained unmarried and lived through significant events. She passed away in 1938.

 

Felix Schumann (1854–1879)

Named after composer Felix Mendelssohn, Felix was born on June 11, 1854, shortly after Robert was institutionalised. Felix Schumann was considered the most artistically gifted of the Schumann children, excelling in both music and literature. He initially studied law but later shifted to philosophy. He suffered from a chronic lung disease which led to his untimely death at the age of 24.

 

Schumann's Musical Career

Robert Schumann was a composer of the Romantic period, often adopting a free "poetic" style for his works in both structure and logic, yet representing an expressive "stream of consciousness" rather than being bound by Classical views of form. In his brief career, Schumann worked as a piano professor at the Leipzig Conservatory under Mendelssohn, also later as a conductor.

He was in his thirties before he started to compose larger concert works, but he completed four symphonies, a well-known piano concerto, some chamber works, songs and song cycles and a wealth of shorter works for piano. Schumann had a great interest in literature, philosophy and the arts. He was also accomplished in journalistic circles as a music critic; in that capacity he recognised and promoted the talents of Chopin, Brahms and Berlioz.

Key Works of Robert Schumann

• 4 Symphonies- including No.1 "Spring" and No.3 "Rhenish"
• Piano Concerto- in A minor (like that of Grieg)
• Cello Concerto
• Konzertstuck
• Piano works- lots of these including Carnaval, Papillons, Fantasiestucke, Etude Symphoniques, Kreisleriana, Fantasie in C (dedicated to Liszt, Scenes from Childhood and the Album for the Young
• Songs - many of these exploring his interest in literature and poetry including Dichterliebe Op. 48 (Song Cycle) and Frauenliebe and Leben Op. 42 (Woman's Life and Love)
• Piano Quartet  (highly recommended listening: Piano Quartet in E flat major, Op. 47)
• Piano Quintet
• String Quartets, Piano Trios and more chamber music

Recommended Reading:

Robert and Clara Schumann - A Love Story by Agnes Selby.

Video Credit:

Martha Argerich plays Schumann Piano Concerto in A minor. Youtube, uploaded by SProkofieff. Accessed October 22, 2017. Here's another one played by Martha Argerich, with Riccardo Chailly conducting. Uploaded by classicmusic 541. Accessed April 27, 2019.)  


Image Credit:
Robert Schumann 1838.  Wiki / Public Domain.  Accessed June 4, 2013.


(c) June 2013. Updated April 27, 2019. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.