Clara Schumann BIography and Images

Clara Schumann, born on September 13, 1819 and died on 20 May 1896, was a German musician and songwriter, considered one of the leading piano players of the Romantic period. She exerts its influence on a concert career of 61 years, by changing the format and repertory of the recital of piano and the tastes of the listening public. Her husband was songwriter Robert Schumann. She and her husband encouraged Johannes Brahms, and she was the first pianist to provide public performances of some of Brahms' works, especially the Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel.

Clara Schumann Death: She died of Stroke (A stroke, or cardiovascular accident (CVA), is the rapid loss of brain function(s) due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain). 

Google's Tribute to Clara Schumann : To celebrate the 193rd birthday of their tributes of Google with a Google doodle on its homepage.

Clara Schumann Music:

As part of the vast music education received from his father, Clara Wieck learned how to compose, and from the childhood to adulthood, there was a great deal of work. At age fourteen she wrote her piano concert, with the support of Robert Schumann, and I did at sixteen years old at the Leipzig Gewandhaus Mendelssohn with driver.

As she grew older, however, she lost confidence as a songwriter, writing, "once thought I had creative talent, but I've given up on this idea, a woman must not desire to compose - has never been able to. Should I expect to be the one? "in fact, Wieck-Schumann compositional output dropped sharply after reaching the age of thirty-six. Compositions that existed only later in his life are written cadenzas two concerts, one by Mozart and Beethoven on the other, and some sketches for a work that was never completed. At present his compositions are increasingly performed and recorded. His works include songs, piano pieces, a piano concerto, a piano trio, choral works and three Romances for violin and piano. Inspired by her husband's birthday, the three Romances were composed in 1853 and dedicated to Joseph Joachim, who's done by George V of Hanover. He said "a wonderful pleasure, heavenly".
Wieck-Schumann was the authoritative editor of her husband works for the publisher Breitkopf & Härtel. 

Clara Schumann and Brahmsann affair:

In 1855, Johannes Brahms wrote the pianist Clara Schumann a naked cry of frustration: "I ​​can not help but think of you ... What have you done for me, you can not remove the spell was cast on me?" The situation between them at the time was messy - very messy. Clara was 35, 21 Brahms, her famous, a little 'more infamous. She was married to the composer Robert Schumann, and the couple had seven children. On the other hand, for more than a year, Clara's husband had been in an insane asylum and Clara had not been allowed to see him. When Robert fell over the edge, Brahms had rushed to his side.

Now Brahms, Robert and secure discovery, was madly in love with the wife of Robert. She did not expect, did not want it, and so on. Brahms loved and admired Robert. Shortly before jumping into the Rhine to escape the demonic speakers in his head, Robert had mentioned the name of Brahms known throughout Europe, declaring this student in Hamburg the coming savior of German music.

Brahms in the meantime was living with Clara and the kids - his bedroom on a separate floor, to be sure, but spending most of his time consoling, helping with the kids, and going almost beside himself with nostalgia..

About the Strong Character of Clara Schumann

Clara Schumann was the main breadwinner for her family across concert activities and education, and she has done most of the work to organize their own tour. She refused to accept charity when a group of musicians offered to put on a charity concert for her. Well as increasing her large family, when one of her sons disability, assumed the responsibility of raising her grandchildren. During the revolt of May in Dresden in 1849, she famously entered the city through the front lines, defying a pack of armed men that have faced, saved his children, then went back to the city through the dangerous areas again.

Her family life was marked by tragedy. Four of her eight children and her husband predeceased her, and her husband and one of her children ended their lives in a mental hospital. Her first son Emil died in 1847, aged just one. Her husband Robert had a mental breakdown, attempted suicide in 1854, and was committed to an asylum for the last two years of his life. In 1872 her daughter Julie died, leaving two young children. In 1879, his son Felix, aged 25, died. His son Ludwig suffered from mental illness, like his father, and, in his words, was to be "buried alive" in an institution. His son Ferdinand died at the age of 43 and she was obliged to raise his children. She herself became deaf in later life and she often needs a wheelchair.

Clara Schumann Profile --Overview
Born: September 13, 1819, Leipzig

Died: May 20, 1896, Frankfurt

Spouse: Robert Alexander Schumann

Clara Schumann Children: Julie Schumann

Clara Schumann Books: Clara Schumann Piano Music

Clara Schumann Siblings: Woldemar Bargiel