About Me
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I am the German romantic composer Clara Wieck Schumann (l8l9-l896) one of the most famous pianists of my time and one of the great stars of 19th-century musical Europe. I premiered new works by Frederic Chopin, Johannes Brahms, and my husband Robert Schumann. While I composed prolifically from the age of nine, my spectacular performing career and the responsibility of supporting seven children after my husband's early death limited my output in my later years. I was not allowed a normal childhood, for I spent my time practicing and taking music lessons from my domineering father, being tutored in languages and music theory, and attending concerts. My father was my first and only piano teacher. Friedrich Wieck was blunt and demanding, prone to fits of rage. He displayed outbursts against me. He earned the affection and respect of many very talented musicians through his progressive teaching method, though. My own performing style was apparently greatly influenced by my father. At age 14, I composed the Piano Concerto in A Minor. I performed the completed concerto at age l6 with the Leipzig Gewandhaus orchestra, conducted by Felix Mendelssohn. I loved to write and throughout my young life, I kept a diary, into which I copied what father dictated. As a teenager, I fell in love with Robert Schumann, one of father’s piano students, who became one of the most beloved composers of the 19th century. Robert was 9 years older than me, had been living in the Wieck household as a piano student and boarder since I was 11. When father learned that and Robert and I were in love, he was furious and threatened to shoot Robert if I ever saw him again. Wieck had good reason to oppose the match, for Robert Schumann had a history of drinking and depression, had no visible means of supporting a spouse, and had had other unsuccessful relationships with women. And as much as I cared for Robert, I had great concerns. I wrote, "I have also considered the future very seriously and I must tell you one thing: I cannot be yours until circumstances have entirely altered...I require much, and I realize that much is needed for a proper life. Robert, test yourself. Are you in a position to offer me a life free from care? Consider that though I have been brought up simply, I have never had a care. Must I bury my art now? Love is all very beautiful, but , but---." When I was 35, Robert Schumann's bouts with depression continued, leading him to commit himself to an asylum after 14 years of marriage and eight children. He died there two years later. I was left to support my family through giving concerts and teaching. My pianistic gifts were considered by many to be equal or superior to those of Liszt. My solace was my music. It sustained me through the rigors of my concert career that spanned 60 years, the tragedies of Robert Schumann’s attempted suicide and his eventual death, and the deaths of four of our eight children. I came to depend also on composer and pianist Johannes Brahms for friendship and inspiration. Brahms remained a steadfast friend through my final days. Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms were aware that their relationship provoked gossip. Our letters to each other covered all aspects of life: finances, family, career and our music. Brahms sent many scores for me to look over. I played them through and gave my opinion. I felt that Brahms was writing his music for me, just as I thought Robert had done. I was often in acute physical pain as I performed. I had had trouble with rheumatism, for which opium was prescribed. I went to spas, tried water treatments, massage, and various other cures. In March 1896, Clara Schumann suffered a stroke. My friend Johannes Brahms canceled plans for an Italian vacation to wait for news of my improvement. On my deathbed, I asked my grandson Ferdinand to play Robert's F-sharp major romance. That was the last music Clara Schumann heard. She died May 20, 1896. Brahms attended the funeral. He died eleven months later.
