He was forbidden to love, ordered to forget about Clara Wieck... But he still married for love. The wife was not only talented and a match for her husband, but also devoted to him until her death...
Become a genius first
Born 1810, in Zwickau (Germany). He was raised surrounded by admiration and adoration. After all, the boy with early childhood showed extraordinary abilities in literature and music. However, after Robert graduated from high school in his native Zwickau, his mother did not believe that her son could become a famous composer. After all, how much can you earn a living from music? And how can you compete with the likes of Mendelssohn or Chopin? How wrong she was! Indeed, despite spending years studying law, Robert absolutely decided: music comes first for him.
He gave up everything to develop his talent. But another impetus was the separation from his married mistress Agnes Carus. Having met at the house of an acquaintance, he fell in love with her singing, but this romance did not have a happy ending. Although... Whatever is done is all for the better: it was Agnes who brought Robert to Professor Vic. After some time, Schumann settled in the house of his mentor and music teacher Friedrich Wieck. Six to seven hours at the piano, developing his fingers, was not the limit for him. He would love to play all day long. By the way, due to excessive zeal, the future composer developed anemia in his hand.
Pianist from God
In addition to being a gifted student, Vic also had a very talented daughter. Her name was Clara. When she was five, her father divorced her mother. And two years later, Friedrich had already painted future fate daughter, presenting her at the altar of music. Already at the age of eleven she performed solo for the first time, and a year later she went on tour. Submission came to an end when she met Robert Schumann. He was nine years older than her, but music erased this boundary between them.
Robert Schumann looked at her differently
Years passed, and the little smiling girl turned into a real lady. She was already seventeen, and Robert could not take her away from 
her eye. They spent a lot of time together, and Schumann decided to confess his feelings. This happened when she went out to accompany him to the door late in the evening. Robert suddenly turned around and kissed her. Clara almost lost consciousness - her heart was fluttering so much. He proposed to her, and the girl agreed. The lovers even went to Schumann’s mother for a blessing.
The only one who did not perceive them as a couple was Clara's father. Perhaps paternal jealousy arose in him... It is absolutely certain that he refused such a dysfunctional son-in-law. Not only does he not have sufficient finances, but there are also rumors about depression and drunkenness, in which he drowns his worries.
Friedrich Wieck took his daughter on a long tour. Clara was strictly forbidden to communicate or correspond with each other! There came a time of silence that lasted a year and a half, followed by a four-year war for happiness.
If you really love...
Separation improved well-being Schumann but his heart is still 
it hurt. He was going to do everything in his power and get Clara back!
“Are you still faithful and firm? – Robert timidly wrote in a letter. “No matter how unshakably I believe in you, even the most steadfast courage will waver when nothing is heard about what is dearer to a person than anything else in the world.” And for me, the most important thing in the world is you.”
She was glad to hear from him, but her father still stood between them. Nevertheless, Clara replied: “Are you asking me only for a simple yes? Such a tiny word, and so important? But really, a heart full of inexpressible love, like mine, should not utter this word with all its soul? This is what I do, and my soul whispers an eternal “yes” to you.
Defend your fate in court
In June 1839, the Royal Court of Appeal of the city of Leipzig accepted a petition from famous composer Robert Schumann. The address said: “We, the undersigned and Clara Wieck, have for several years now had a joint and heartfelt desire to unite with each other. However, Clara's father, Friedrich Wieck, a piano dealer, despite numerous friendly requests, stubbornly refuses to give his consent. Therefore, we make the most humble request to force the said gentleman to give his fatherly blessing for us to enter into a marriage union, or to deign to give his most merciful permission instead.”
Of course, such an action entailed a huge scandal. Conciliation meetings were held repeatedly, 
but Vic refused to appear in court. Moreover, he set unimaginable conditions for his son-in-law (mainly of a financial nature). When Schumann refused, the father of his beloved did something completely ungentlemanly, denigrating the names of the young people and spreading disgusting rumors.
In December, Vic had to appear before a judge. He did not abandon attempts to accuse Schumann of all mortal sins. A family quarrel has escalated into something completely incomprehensible. The judge had to urge Vic to calm down several times. But when Clara was asked with whom she wanted to leave the hall, and the answer was: “With my beloved,” her father went completely mad, shouting: “Then I will curse you!” And God forbid, one day you will come to my house as a beggar, with a bunch of children!” She cried a lot that day, and Schumann wrote in his notebook: “Never forget what Clara had to go through for you!”
Friedrich Wieck managed to delay the process for another six months, but he lost. Moreover, after the trial, Clara’s father was sentenced to 18 days in prison for slandering Schumann.
with Clara Wieck
Jokingly Schumann for the last time before the wedding he warned the girl: “I have many shortcomings, dear. And one is simply unbearable. To the people I love most, I try to prove my love by doing everything to spite them. For example, you will tell me: “Dear Robert, answer this letter, it has been lying around for a long time.” And what do you think I will do? I will find a thousand reasons not to do this - under no circumstances!.. And also, dear, you need to know that I receive the most sincere expressions of love coldly, and I offend those I love the most the most... That’s just the way I am terrible person." But her love was too great to give up because of such a trifle.
On September 12, 1840, Robert and Clara finally married. Schumann thanked heaven and the Almighty for this gift. He composed 138 wonderful songs- hymns of triumphant love. And Clara gave him all this creative power. Having become one, they eclipsed their rivals with their music. Only when Vic was convinced that his son-in-law had achieved universal recognition and fame did he write: “Dear Schumann! Now we shouldn't be far from each other. You are also a father now, why the long explanations? Your father Friedrich Wieck is waiting for you with joy.”
Black cloud
In Leipzig, the couple's home became a real center musical life cities. But the whole problem was that he was called 
"the salon of the incomparable Clara." Despite being popular and truly recognized Schumann He works a lot, he is loved and his home is full... He suffers, considering his existence to be just a shadow of his wife’s bright life. In two months of concerts, Clara earned more than he did in a year. His soul inevitably plunged into the darkness of madness. Schumann fell ill and began to have hallucinations.
“Ah, Clara, I am not worthy of your love. I know I'm sick and I want to be admitted to psychiatric hospital».
He went out from there one day to drown himself. However, he was saved, and the rest of his life Schumann looked at the world from the window of the room, not seeing his children and wife. Only two days before her death, Clara was allowed to visit Robert. But he could no longer tell her anything... In 1856, the composer died.
The end of Clara Schumann's journey
She moved to Baden-Baden. She successfully toured European cities. Clara remained a famous pianist until her death. In 1878 she received an invitation to become the "first piano teacher" at the newly founded Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt am Main, where she taught for 14 years. Clara edited the works Robert Schumann and published a number of his letters. She gave her last concert on March 12, 1891. She was 71 years old. Five years later, Clara Schumann suffered from apoplexy and died a few months later at the age of 76. According to her wishes, she was buried in Bonn at the Old Cemetery next to her husband.
FACTS
Robert and Clara had eight children. Schumann accompanied his wife to concerts 
trips, and she often performed her husband’s music.
Schumann was a teacher at the Leipzig Conservatory, founded by F. Mendelssohn.
In 1844, Schumann and his wife went on tour to St. Petersburg and Moscow, where they were received with great honor.
Updated: April 14, 2019 by: Elena
German composer, teacher and influential music critic
Brief biography
(German: Robert Schumann; June 8, 1810, Zwickau - July 29, 1856, Endenich) - German composer, teacher and influential music critic. Widely known as one of the outstanding composers era of romanticism. His teacher Friedrich Wieck was confident that Schumann would become the best pianist in Europe, but due to an injury to his hand, Robert had to leave his career as a pianist and devote his life to composing music.
Until 1840, all of Schumann's works were written exclusively for piano. Later many songs, four symphonies, an opera and other orchestral, choral and chamber works were published. He published his articles about music in the New Music Newspaper (German: Neue Zeitschrift für Musik).
Contrary to his father's wishes, in 1840 Schumann married Friedrich Wieck's daughter Clara. His wife also composed music and had a significant concert career as a pianist. Profits from concerts made up the majority of her father's fortune.
Schumann suffered from mental disorder, which first manifested itself in 1833 as an episode of severe depression. After attempting suicide in 1854, he was, of his own free will, admitted to a psychiatric clinic. In 1856, Robert Schumann died without recovering from mental illness.
Schumann House in Zwickau
Born in Zwickau (Saxony) on June 8, 1810 in the family of book publisher and writer August Schumann (1773-1826).
Schumann took his first music lessons from the local organist Johann Kunsch; at the age of 10 he began to compose, in particular, choral and orchestral music. He attended high school in his hometown, where he became acquainted with the works of J. Byron and Jean Paul, becoming their passionate admirer. The moods and images of this romantic literature over time reflected in musical creativity Schumann. As a child, he became involved in professional literary work, composing articles for an encyclopedia published by his father's publishing house. He was seriously interested in philology, carried out pre-publishing proofreading for a large number of Latin dictionary. And school literary works Schumann were written at such a level that they were published posthumously as an appendix to the collection of his mature journalistic works. At a certain period of his youth, Schumann even hesitated whether to choose the career of a writer or a musician.
In 1828 he entered the University of Leipzig, and the following year he moved to the University of Heidelberg. At the insistence of his mother, he planned to become a lawyer, but music attracted the young man more and more. He was attracted by the idea of becoming a concert pianist. In 1830, he received his mother's permission to devote himself entirely to music and returned to Leipzig, where he hoped to find a suitable mentor. There he began taking piano lessons from Friedrich Wieck and composition from Heinrich Dorn.
Robert Schumann, Vienna, 1839
During his studies, Schumann gradually developed paralysis of the middle finger and partial paralysis of the index finger, which is why he had to give up the idea of a career professional pianist. There is a widespread version that this injury occurred due to the use of a finger simulator (the finger was tied to a cord, which was suspended from the ceiling, but could “walk” up and down like a winch), which Schumann allegedly independently made according to the type of popular at that time the finger trainers “Dactylion” by Henry Hertz (1836) and “Happy Fingers” by Tiziano Poli. Another unusual but widespread version says that Schumann, in an effort to achieve incredible virtuosity, tried to remove the tendons on his hand that connect the ring finger with the middle and little fingers. Neither of these versions has any evidence, and both of them were refuted by Schumann's wife. Schumann himself associated the development of paralysis with excessive handwriting and excessive time playing the piano. Modern research musicologist Eric Sams, published in 1971, suggests that the cause of finger paralysis could be inhalation of mercury vapor, which Schumann, on the advice of doctors of the time, may have tried to cure himself of syphilis. But medical scientists in 1978 considered this version doubtful, suggesting, in turn, that paralysis could arise as a result of chronic compression of the nerve in the area of the elbow joint. To date, the cause of Schumann's illness remains unknown.
Schumann took up composition seriously and at the same time music criticism. Having found support in the person of Friedrich Wieck, Ludwig Schunke and Julius Knorr, Schumann was able in 1834 to found one of the most influential musical periodicals in the future - the “New Musical Newspaper” (German: Neue Zeitschrift für Musik), which he edited regularly for several years. published his articles there. He established himself as a supporter of the new and a fighter against the obsolete in art, against the so-called philistines, that is, with those who, with their limitations and backwardness, hindered the development of music and represented a stronghold of conservatism and burgherism.
The composer's music room in the Schumann Museum in Zwickau
In October 1838, the composer moved to Vienna, but already in early April 1839 he returned to Leipzig. In 1840, the University of Leipzig awarded Schumann the title of Doctor of Philosophy. In the same year, on September 12, in the village church of Schönefeld in Leipzig, Schumann’s marriage took place with the daughter of his teacher, an outstanding pianist, Clara Josephine Wieck. In the year of his marriage, Schumann created about 140 songs. Several years of Robert and Clara's life together passed happily. They had eight children. Schumann accompanied his wife on concert tours, and she, in turn, often performed her husband’s music. Schumann taught at the Leipzig Conservatory, founded in 1843 by F. Mendelssohn.
In 1844, Schumann and his wife went on a tour to St. Petersburg and Moscow, where they were received with great honor. In the same year, Schumann moved from Leipzig to Dresden. There, signs of a nervous disorder first appeared. It was not until 1846 that Schumann recovered enough to be able to compose again.
In 1850, Schumann received an invitation to the post of city director of music in Düsseldorf. However, disagreements soon began there, and in the fall of 1853 the contract was not renewed. In November 1853, Schumann and his wife went on a trip to Holland, where he and Clara were received “with joy and honor.” However, in the same year, symptoms of the disease began to appear again. At the beginning of 1854, after an exacerbation of his illness, Schumann attempted to commit suicide by throwing himself into the Rhine, but was saved. He had to be placed in a psychiatric hospital in Endenich near Bonn. In the hospital, he wrote almost nothing, the sketches of new compositions were lost. Occasionally he was allowed to see his wife Clara. Robert died on July 29, 1856. Buried in Bonn.
Robert and Clara, 1847
Creation
In his music, Schumann, more than any other composer, reflected the deeply personal nature of Romanticism. His early music, introspective and often whimsical, was an attempt to break with tradition classical forms, in his opinion, too limited. In many ways akin to the poetry of G. Heine, Schumann’s work challenged the spiritual wretchedness of Germany in the 1820s - 1840s and called to the world of high humanity. The heir of F. Schubert and K. M. Weber, Schumann developed the democratic and realistic tendencies of German and Austrian musical romanticism. Little understood during life, most his music is now regarded as a bold and original phenomenon in harmony, rhythm and form. His works are closely related to the traditions of German classical music.
Most piano works Schumann are cycles of small plays of lyrical-dramatic, visual and “portrait” genres, interconnected by an internal plot and psychological line. One of the most typical cycles is “Carnival” (1834), in which a motley line of scenes, dances, masks, female images(among them Kiarina - Clara Wieck), musical portraits Paganini, Chopin. Close to “Carnival” are the cycles “Butterflies” (1831, based on the work of Jean Paul) and “Davidsbündlers” (1837). The cycle of plays "Kreisleriana" (1838, named after literary hero E. T. A. Hoffmann - musician-visionary Johannes Kreisler) belongs to highest achievements Schumann. The world of romantic images, passionate melancholy, and heroic impulse are reflected in such works by Schumann for piano as “Symphonic Etudes” (“Etudes in the Form of Variations”, 1834), sonatas (1835, 1835-1838, 1836), Fantasia (1836-1838) , concerto for piano and orchestra (1841-1845). Along with works of variation and sonata types, Schumann has piano cycles built on the principle of a suite or an album of pieces: “ Fantastic excerpts"(1837), "Children's Scenes" (1838), "Album for Youth" (1848), etc.
IN vocal creativity Schumann developed the type lyrical song F. Schubert. In his subtly developed drawings of songs, Schumann displayed the details of moods, poetic details of the text, and the intonations of a living language. The significantly increased role of piano accompaniment in Schumann provides a rich outline of the image and often explains the meaning of the songs. The most popular of his vocal cycles is “The Poet’s Love” based on poems by G. Heine (1840). It consists of 16 songs, in particular, “Oh, if only the flowers were guessed”, or “I hear the sounds of songs”, “I meet you in the morning in the garden”, “I’m not angry”, “In a dream I cried bitterly”, “You are evil , evil songs." Another plot vocal cycle- “Love and Life of a Woman” based on poems by A. Chamisso (1840). Songs of various meanings are included in the cycles “Myrtle” based on poems by F. Rückert, J. W. Goethe, R. Burns, G. Heine, J. Byron (1840), “Circle of Songs” based on poems by J. Eichendorff (1840). In vocal ballads and song-scenes, Schumann touched upon very wide circle stories. A striking example of Schumann's civic lyricism is the ballad “Two Grenadiers” (to the verses of G. Heine). Some of Schumann's songs are simple scenes or everyday portrait sketches: their music is close to German folk song(“Folk song” based on poems by F. Rückert and others).
In the oratorio “Paradise and Peri” (1843, based on the plot of one of the parts of the “oriental” novel “Lalla Rook” by T. Moore), as well as in “Scenes from Faust” (1844-1853, according to J. V. Goethe), Schumann came close to realizing his long-time dream of creating an opera. Schumann's only completed opera, Genoveva (1848), based on a medieval legend, did not gain recognition on the stage. Creative success Schumann's music for the dramatic poem "Manfred" by J. Byron appeared (overture and 15 musical numbers, 1849).
In the composer’s 4 symphonies (the so-called “Spring”, 1841; the Second, 1845-1846; the so-called “Rhenish”, 1850; the Fourth, 1841-1851) bright, cheerful moods prevail. A significant place in them is occupied by episodes of song, dance, lyric and painting nature.
Schumann made great contributions to musical criticism. Promoting the work of classical musicians on the pages of his magazine, fighting against the anti-artistic phenomena of our time, he supported the new European romantic school. Schumann castigated virtuoso dandyism, indifference to art, which hides under the guise of good intentions and false scholarship. The main fictional characters on whose behalf Schumann spoke on the pages of print are the ardent, furiously daring and ironic Florestan and the gentle dreamer Eusebius. Both symbolized the polar character traits of the composer himself.
Schumann's ideals were close to advanced musicians XIX century. He was highly regarded by Felix Mendelssohn, Hector Berlioz, and Franz Liszt. In Russia, Schumann’s work was promoted by A. G. Rubinstein, P. I. Tchaikovsky, G. A. Laroche, and members of the “Mighty Handful”.
Memory
Museums
Robert Schumann Museum Zwickau
Robert and Clara Schumann Museum in Leipzig
Robert Schumann Museum in Bonn
Monuments
Bust of Robert Schumann
Monument to R. Schumann in Zwickau
Tomb of Robert and Clara Schumann
Coins and postage stamps
For the 200th anniversary of the composer's birth (2010), a commemorative silver coin with a face value of 10 euros was issued in Germany.
GDR postage stamp dedicated to R. Schumann, 1956, 20 pfenings (Michel 542, Scott 304)
USSR postage stamp, 1960
Major works
Here are presented works that are often used in concert and pedagogical practice in Russia, as well as works of large scale, but rarely performed.
For piano
- Variations on the theme "Abegg"
- Butterflies, op. 2. Music orchestrated by N. N. Tcherepnin for M. Fokine’s ballet “Butterflies” (1912).
- Dances of the Davidsbündlers, op. 6 (1837)
- Toccata in C major, op. 7
- Allegro in B minor, op. 8
- Carnival, op. 9. The music was orchestrated in 1902 by a group of Russian composers, among whom was N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov; in 1910 it was used by M. M. Fokin for the production of the ballet “Carnival”, the plot of which is close to the program of the cycle declared by R. Schumann.
- Three sonatas:
- Sonata No. 1 in F sharp minor, op. 11
- Sonata No. 3 in F minor, op. 14
- Sonata No. 2 in G minor, op. 22
- Fantastic Pieces, op. 12
- Symphonic Etudes, op. 13
- Children's scenes, op. 15
- Kreisleriana, op. 16
- Fantasia in C major, op. 17
- Arabesque, op. 18
- Blumenstück, op. 19
- Humoresque, op. 20
- Novellettes, op. 21
- Night Pieces, op. 23
- Vienna Carnival, op. 26
- Album for Youth, op. 68
- Forest Scenes, op. 82
- Variegated Leaves, op. 99
- Morning Songs, op. 133
- Theme and Variations in E flat major
Concerts
- Concerto for piano and orchestra in A minor, op. 54
- Konzertstück for four horns and orchestra, op. 86
- Introduction and Allegro Appassionato for piano and orchestra, op. 92
- Concerto for cello and orchestra, op. 129
- Concerto for violin and orchestra, 1853
- Introduction and Allegro for piano and orchestra, op. 134
- Fantasia Pieces for clarinet and piano, op. 73
- Märchenerzählungen, Op. 132
Vocal works
- "Circle of Songs" (Liederkreis), op. 24 (lyrics by Heine, 9 songs)
- "Myrtles", op. 25 (poems by various poets, 26 songs)
- "Circle of Songs", op. 39 (lyrics by Eichendorff, 12 songs)
- "Love and Life of a Woman", op. 42 (lyrics by Shamisso, 8 songs)
- "The Poet's Love" (Dichterliebe), op. 48 (lyrics by Heine, 16 songs)
- "Seven songs. In memory of the poetess Elizaveta Kulman", op. 104 (1851)
- "Poems of Queen Mary Stuart", op. 135, 5 songs (1852)
- "Genoveva". Opera (1848)
Chamber music
- Three string quartets
- Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 63
- Piano Trio No. 2 in F major, Op. 80
- Piano Trio No. 3 in G minor, Op. 110
- Piano Quintet in E flat major, Op. 44
- Piano Quartet in E flat major, Op. 47
Symphonic music
- Symphony No. 1 in B flat major (known as "Spring"), op. 38
- Symphony No. 2 in C major, op. 61
- Symphony No. 3 in E flat major “Rhenish”, op. 97
- Symphony No. 4 in D minor, op. 120
Overtures
- Overture, scherzo and finale for orchestra op. 52 (1841)
- Overture to the opera "Genoveva" op. 81 (1847)
- Overture to “The Bride of Messina” by F. F. Schiller for big orchestra op. 100 (1850-1851)
- Overture to "Manfred", a dramatic poem in three parts by Lord Byron with music op. 115 (1848)
- Overture to "Julius Caesar"
Biography of Schumann - great German composer - like the life of any famous person, was filled with both curious, anecdotal incidents and tragic twists of fate. Why didn't Schumann virtuoso pianist, what he dreamed of in his youth, and why did he have to choose the path of composing? How did this affect his mental health, and where did the famous author end his life?
Composer Schumann (biography): childhood and youth
Schumann was born on June 8, 1810 in Germany. His hometown was the town of Zwickau. The father of the future composer was a book publisher and a wealthy man, so he strove to give his son a decent education.
The boy showed since childhood literary abilities- when Robert was studying at the gymnasium, in addition to composing poetry, dramas and comedies, he also organized his own literary circle. Under the influence of Jean Paul, the young man even composed literary novel. Taking into account all these facts, Schumann's biography could have turned out completely differently - the boy could well have followed in the footsteps of his father. But the world of music worried Robert more than literary activity.
Schumann, whose biography and work throughout his life were tightly connected with the art of music, wrote his first at the age of ten. Perhaps this was the first sign that another great composer was born.
Robert Schumann (short biography): career as a pianist
Schumann began to show interest in playing the piano with early age. He was very impressed by the playing of the pianist Moscheles, as well as Paganini. The young man was inspired by the idea of becoming a virtuoso instrumentalist and spared no effort to achieve this.
At first future composer took lessons from organist Kunsht. Under the strict guidance of his first teacher, the boy began to create his own musical works - mostly sketches. After becoming acquainted with Schubert's work, Robert wrote several songs.
However, his parents insisted that their son have a serious education, so Robert goes to Leipzig to study as a lawyer. But Schumann, whose biography, it seemed, could not have turned out differently, is still drawn to music, so he continues to study piano under the guidance of a new teacher, Friedrich Wieck. The latter sincerely believed that his student could become the most virtuoso pianist in Germany.
But Robert pursued his goal too fanatically, so he overdid it with his studies - he suffered a tendon sprain and said goodbye to his career as a pianist.
Education
As mentioned above, Schumann studied law at and then at Heidelberg. But Robert never became a lawyer, preferring music.
Beginning of composing activity
Robert Schumann, whose biography after his injury was entirely devoted to his work as a composer, was most likely very worried about the fact that he would never be able to fulfill his dream of becoming a famous pianist. Character young man after that he changed - he became taciturn, too vulnerable, stopped joking and pranking his friends the way only he knew how to do it. One day, while still a young man, Schumann went into a store musical instruments and jokingly introduced himself as the chamberlain of an English lord, who instructed him to choose a piano for music lessons. Robert played all the expensive instruments in the salon, thereby amusing onlookers and buyers. As a result, Schumann said that in two days he would give the owner of the salon an answer regarding the purchase, and he himself, as if nothing had happened, left for another city on his own business.
But in the 30s. I had to say goodbye to my pianist career, and the young man devoted himself entirely to creating musical works. It was precisely during this period that his composing creativity flourished.
Music Features
Schumann worked in the era of romanticism and, of course, this was reflected in his work.
Robert Schumann, whose biography was in some sense filled with personal experiences, wrote psychological music that was far from folklore motives. Schumann's works are something "personal". His music is very changeable, which reflects the illness with which the composer gradually began to fall ill. Schumann himself did not hide the fact that his nature was characterized by duality.
The harmonious language of his works is more complex than that of his contemporaries. The rhythm of Schumann's works is quite whimsical and capricious. But this did not prevent the composer from gaining national fame during his lifetime.
One day, while walking in the park, the composer whistled the theme from Carnival to himself. One of the passers-by made a remark to him: they say, if you have no hearing, then it is better not to “spoil” the works of a respected composer.
Among the most famous works The following composers are listed:
- romance cycles “The Poet’s Love”, “Circle of Songs”;
- piano cycles “Butterflies”, “Carnival”, “Kreisleriana”, etc.
Music newspaper
Schumann, short biography who could not have done without studying literature, did not give up his hobby, and applied his writing talent to journalism. With the support of his many friends connected with the world of music, Schumann founded the New Musical Newspaper in 1834. Over time, it turned into a periodical and quite influential publication. The composer wrote many articles for the publication with his own hand. He welcomed everything new in music, so he supported young composers. By the way, Schumann was one of the first to recognize Chopin’s talent and wrote a separate article in his honor. Schumann also supported Liszt, Berlioz, Brahms and many other composers.
Often, in his articles, the hero of our story had to rebuff many music critics who spoke unflatteringly about his work. Schumann also “created” not entirely in the spirit of the times, so he had to defend his views on the art of music.
Personal life
In 1840, closer to 30 years old, Robert Schumann got married. His chosen one was the daughter of his teacher, Friedrich Wieck.
Clara Wieck was a fairly famous and virtuoso pianist. She was also involved in the art of composition and supported her husband in all his endeavors.
Schumann, whose short biography by the age of 30 was full of musical activity, was never married, and it seemed that his own personal life bothered him little. But before the wedding, he honestly warned his future wife that his character was very difficult: he often acts contrary to his close and dear people, and for some reason it turns out that he hurts those he loves.
But the bride was not very frightened by these shortcomings of the composer. The wedding took place, and Clara Wieck and Robert Schumann lived in marriage until the end of their days, left behind eight children and were buried in the same cemetery.
Health problems and death
Schumann's biography was full of various events; the composer left behind a rich musical and literary heritage. Such obsession with one’s work and life could not pass without leaving a trace. At about 35 years old, the composer began to show the first signs of a serious nervous disorder. For two years he wrote nothing.
And although the composer was given various honors and invited to serious positions, he could no longer return to his former life. His nerves were completely shaken.
At 44, the composer attempted suicide for the first time after a bout of prolonged depression by throwing himself off a bridge into the Rhine. He was saved, but there were no significant changes in his health. Schumann spent two years in a psychiatric hospital and died at 46. During all this time, the composer did not create a single work.
Who knows how the composer’s life would have turned out if he had not injured his fingers and still became a pianist... Perhaps Schumann, whose biography was cut short at the age of 46, would have lived longer long life and wouldn't go crazy.
By the way, there is a version that the composer injured his fingers by creating a homemade simulator for them, similar to the instruments of Henry Hertz and Tiziano Poli. The essence of the simulators is that the middle finger of the hand was tied to a string, which was attached to the ceiling. This instrument was designed to train endurance and range of finger opening. But if used improperly, it is possible to tear the tendons in this way.
There is another version according to which Schumann had to be treated for syphilis in the then fashionable way - inhaling mercury vapor, which caused a side effect in the form of paralysis of the fingers. But Schumann’s wife did not confirm any of these versions.
International Composer Competition
The biography of Schumann and his work are so popular in musical world that personalized competitions and awards are often organized in honor of famous composer. Back in 1956, the first competition for academic music performers was held in Berlin, called the Internationaler Robert-Schumann-Wettbewerb.
The first event was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the composer’s death, and the first winners of the competition were the representative of the GDR, Annerose Schmidt, in the “Piano” category, as well as representatives of the USSR: Alexander Vedernikov, Kira Izotova in the “Vocal” category. Subsequently, competitors from the USSR almost every year took prizes up to 1985. After the collapse Soviet Union Only in 1996 was a representative from Russia, Mikhail Mordvinov, able to win the competition in the “Piano” category.
Robert Schumann Prize
R. Schumann, biography and creative heritage which became the pride of world art, donated his name and prizes, which have been awarded to performers of academic music since 1964. The award was established by the administration hometown composer - Zwickau. It is awarded only to those figures who promote the composer’s music and bring it to the masses. In 2003, the material component of the award was equal to the amount of 10,000 euros.
Until 1989, the names of Soviet artists were often included in the list of prize winners. A representative from Russia then appeared on the list of laureates only in 2000. The winner of the prize that year was Olga Loseva; since then the prize has never been awarded to people from the CIS countries.
Robert Schumann is one of the most brilliant and prominent composers of the Romantic era in Europe. He was born in June 1810
year in the city of Zwickau, located in the Saxon region of Germany, becoming the fifth and most youngest child in the family. The boy began studying music at the age of seven, and although his parents were not musicians, they encouraged their son's interest.
When Robert was 16
years old, his father died, and soon his sister committed suicide. The loss of two close people at once deeply shocked the young musician.
After his father's death, neither his mother nor his guardian encouraged Schumann's serious musical aspirations, but they saw him as a future lawyer. Thus, Robert was obliged to attend law school in Leipzig and study law. Music became just a hobby, remaining in the background in his life. However, despite everything, Robert did not interrupt his music education. One of his teachers was Friedrich Wieck, whose nine-year-old daughter Clara impressed Schumann with her superb piano playing.
IN 1834
Schumann got engaged to 16-
year-old Ernestina von Fricken, who came from a wealthy family. But this union turned out to be short-lived and things did not come to a wedding: Schumann broke off the engagement, becoming more and more carried away by Clara Wieck.
The musician kept in touch with Vicky, and after waiting for Clara to grow up, he proposed to her. Her father strongly opposed this marriage, and only the day before 21-
On the girl's birthday, Robert and Clara were finally able to get married. It happened 12
September 1840
year.
Although Clara was amazingly talented as a pianist and composer, she music career never received a worthy continuation, and his own works remain the property of private collectors. According to some assumptions, her husband's jealousy became a deterrent for her. However, even managing to raise children, Clara still played an important role in classical music, continuing to tour and inspire other composers, including the famous Brahms.
Consequences of injury right hand, received during his studies with Wieck, prevented Schumann from developing musical activity as a touring pianist. He channeled his energy and talent into composing, producing hundreds of works for piano and voice, as well as four symphonies and operas.
The first years of marriage were cloudlessly happy: the spouses’ cooperation in the professional sphere and the birth of their first child made this period very fruitful for the composer. At this time, Schumann composed almost exclusively for piano. in spring 1841
His “Spring Symphony” was performed for the first time.
IN 1843
In the year, the composer took the position of teacher at the Leipzig Conservatory, but felt that he was not doing well in this matter. Often he could sit whole lesson without saying a word to his students. He resigned at 1844
year, and from that time on his attacks of depression became more severe and longer lasting.
IN 1844
year, Robert and Clara undertook a tour of Russia, which brought them enormous financial success and public recognition. But Schumann began to experience frightening physical suffering, including temporary blindness and frequent dizziness.
Towards the end of his life, the composer suffered from severe mental illness and was even afraid of harming his wife. 27
February 1854
he attempted to commit suicide by jumping into the Rhine from a bridge, but was saved by a boatman. Then Schumann himself asked to be taken to a psychiatric hospital, where he spent his last and lonely two years. The composer had the opportunity to see his wife only two days before his death 29
July 1856. Although he seemed to recognize her, he could not say a word.
There are different guesses as to the causes of his death. There is an opinion that the composer was killed by mercury poisoning, used as a treatment for syphilis. Other researchers of his biography believe that Schumann was killed by a brain tumor.
The personal subjectivity and emotional intensity inherent in Schumann's works became distinctive feature his musical works. He had a significant influence on the work of many prominent figures musical art such as Brahms, Liszt, Wagner, Elgar and Fauré, remaining among the most popular composers to this day 19-
th century.
Robert Schumann is a brief biography of the German composer presented in this article.
Biography and creativity of Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann was born June 8, 1810 in the small town of Zwickau, in absolutely no musical family. His parents were engaged in book publishing. They wanted to get the child interested in this business, but at the age of seven, Robert showed a passion for music.
He entered the University of Leipzig in 1828 to study law. While in Leipzig, Robert meets Vic, the best piano teacher, and begins taking lessons from him. A year later, realizing that a lawyer is not the profession he wants to master, Schumann moves to the University of Heidelberg. He returned to Leipzig in 1830 and continued to take piano lessons from Wieck. In 1831, he suffered an injury to his right hand and the career of the great pianist came to an end. But Schumann did not even think of giving up music - he began to write musical works and mastered the profession of a music critic.
Robert Schumann founded the New music magazine"in Leipzig, and until 1844 he was its editor, main author and publisher. Special attention He devoted his time to writing musical works for piano. The most significant cycles are Butterflies, Variations, Carnival, Davidsbüdler Dances, Fantastic Pieces. In 1838, he wrote several real masterpieces - Novels, Children's Scenes and Kreisleriana.
When the time came for marriage, in 1840 Robert married Clara Wieck, his daughter music teacher. She was known as a talented pianist. During the years of marriage he wrote a number of symphonic works– Paradise and Peri, Requiem and Mass, Requiem for Mignon, scenes from the work “Faust”.
