The Life of Clara Schumann

Clara Schumann (Germany, 1819-1896)

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Clara Schumann was a prominent German pianist, composer and a piano teacher.

As many people have known, Schumann is one of the famous names in the Classical Era and Clara was frequently known and called as Robert Schumann’s wife and not as an independent pianist or composer herself.

Motivated by her father, Clara began studying the piano taught by her father from the age of 5, and gave her debut performance in Leipzig at the age of 7. Clara’s father, Friedrich Wieck, a strong self-made man and perhaps the most ferocious piano teacher, had already decided on his daughter’s path even before she was born. He decided then that his daughter would be a child prodigy who would make his name and fortune by her talent. Her early compositions were designed to show-off her skills as a pianist, including writing for finger stretches up to tenths due to her enormous hands. She then became famous throughout Europe as a child prodigy in 1835. Robert Schumann came into the picture in 1830, when he began studying with Friedrich and met Clara for the first time. Robert Schumann and Clara Schumann were engaged in 1837, where Clara’s father opposed it vehemently.

Clara didn’t write much in the early days of her marriage with Robert. Despite the fact that Clara’s dreams as a concert pianist and composer were hampered by the demands of her family life, Robert fully supported her to compose.

Their musical world and conversation was exceptional, they collaborated on many scores and concerts. Clara continued her dreams becoming pianist and her technical master, poetic spirit, extraordinary interpretation, singing tone, and rigorous adherence to the composer’s markings were considered to characterise her playing. She was one of the first pianists to perform from memory at the age of 13, which is now common practice among concert pianists.

After the tragic loss of her husband, she simply stopped composing. But she continued to teach and performed regularly to support her family. She became regarded as a supporter and performer of Schumann and Brahms’, a close friend of Clara and Schumann music, having a direct impact on their compositions. She was the first person to publicly perform any of Brahms’ works, and he was always supportive of her professional career.

We would like to share a beautiful performance of the famous piano concerto written by our beloved Clara Schumann.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4HaPxqG-6c