Robert Schumann was one of the most important Romantic composers of the 19th century. He was also a pianist, influential music critic and editor of 'The New Journal of Music'.
He was a champion of young composers including Chopin and Brahms.
His wife Clara, also a composer, was one of the most outstanding pianists of her day.
Robert Alexander Schumann Born: 8 June 1810 Zwickau, Saxony Father: August Schumann, bookseller, writer and publisher Mother: Johanna Siblings: Youngest of 5 Wife: Clara Josephine Wieck 1819-96, (daughter of his piano teacher) Children: eight Died: 29 July 1856 age 46 Buried: Zentral Friedhof, Bonn. see findagrave
Bicentenary
8 June 2010 was the 200th anniversary of his birth. There are celebrations, concerts, TV and radio programs all over the world.
Works:
Period: Early German Romantic Output: considerable Influenced by: Bach, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Paganini, Schubert, Clara Schumann Influenced: too many to list! Orchestral: - 4 Symphonies - Piano Concerto - Cello Concerto Chamber music Piano: many pieces including: - Album for the Young - Scenes from Childhood - Carnaval - Fantasy Pieces - Papillons Songs: over 400 including lieder (solo voice + piano), partsongs, duets and trios Choral music, opera and drama - Genoveva (opera) - Manfred - Paradise and the Peris - Scenes from Goethe's Faust
Quotes
"Nothing right can be accomplished in art without enthusiasm. "
"If we were all determined to play the first violin we should never have an ensemble. therefore, respect every musician in his proper place. "
"The painter turns a poem into a painting; the musician sets a picture to music."
"In order to compose, all you need to do is remember a tune that nobody else has thought of."
