Romantic Era: Important Composers, Theorists, and Performers: Schumann
Robert Schumann (1810-1856, German)
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Schumann began his career as a budding pianist, but due to an injury, he had to stop performing and focus his talents on composition. He composed many of his works for his popular pianist wife, Clara Schumann, who toured Europe extensively for her performances.
Throughout her tours, the Schumanns became close friends with Franz Liszt, Frédéric Chopin, and Felix Mendelssohn. Brahms was rumored to have watched the Schumann children as Clara toured after Robert was institutionalized for throwing himself into the Rhine River. Schumann also wrote a number of Leider (vocal solos). He expanded the public’s awareness of music (including his own) by founding The New Journal for Music in 1834. He became the best friend for musicians in this era. He improved standards of music criticism and educated the public on new composers.
