Robert Schumann was one of the greatest composers during the Romantic era. Robert was born in Central Germany during 1810. It seemed he came out of the womb having an immediate draw towards music. He began soaking in literature and music as early as possible! His father made this quite easy for little Robert, being a bookseller, publisher, and novelist. Needless to say, Robert had ample material to stay busy with, and did he ever!
By age 7, Robert began heavily studying music and was taught piano by a teacher at the nearby high school. He fell in love immediately and began composing pieces independently. He often brushed off the principals of music composition, yet managed to compose beautiful pieces that were used at fancy dances and balls.
At 14, Robert wrote an essay on the aesthetics of music and participated in a volume his father was editing, Portraits of Famous Men. Robert enjoyed writing sprightly novels that were inspired from literary inspirations such as Jean Paul. It didn’t take long for his attention to shift back to music after attending a piano performance of Ignaz Moscheles.
Sadly, his father died when Robert was 16, leaving his passion of music to be supported by his mother. She was not supportive of his longing, nor encouraging. He felt pressure coming from all directions and left to study law at the University of Leipzig. It didn’t take long though…law wasn’t filling his creative voids. Robert turned towards improv, song composition and writing. He also just happened to get set up with Friedrich Wieck for piano lessons. Ya know, just in case his study of law had some music theory questions arise, he’d be set!
At 19 years old, Robert was still plugging away at law school, until that is, until he heard the Italian violinist, guitarist, and composer Niccolo Paganini play. He immediately wrote a letter to his mother expressing, “My whole life has been a struggle between Poetry and Prose, or call it Music and Law.” By age 20, he was back with Friedrich taking lessons. Fredrich reassured him in just a few years he would be a pro, putting on elegant concerts.
Much to everyone’s dismay, Robert injured his finger using a “finger strengthening device”. Some claim it was Friedrich’s fault, others declare it was Robert’s. Either way, Robert claimed he lost mobility of his whole hand, though in time, the numbness hindered only his middle finger. Sounds like he should use that handy law school experience and sue! After this disparaging news, Robert fled from his hope of becoming a concert pianist and instead focused solely on composition.
At 22, Robert was visiting relatives in Zwickau and despite the mobility loss originally experienced two years prior, he was now able to perform the first movement of his Symphony in G minor. His piano teacher’s daughter, (Clara) had arranged the concert, and also happened to be a bit of a proficient pianist herself. She was only 13 but played bravura Variations by Henri Herz (which means it was undeniably brilliant, daring, and dramatic). Robert’s mother who was in attendance whispered to Clara, “You must marry my Robert one day.”
Two years later, at 24 Robert found himself engaged to Ernestine. She was 16 and the adopted daughter of a rich Bohemian noble. After less than a year of their engagement, he discovered she was born illegitimately, meaning she would not bring anything to the table financially. Robert did not want to fall into a position of living like a common laborer and felt he had no choice but to break it off. Clara was now 15 and with their shared love of music, the two quickly voiced their passionate love for each other. Alas, Friedrich was not pleased and forbade their romance to continue.
1838 was a busy year for Robert. He completed two of his most appreciated pieces. Kinderszenen, Op. 15 reflects a playfulness that relates to the memories of childhood and Kreisleriana, Op. 16 tips into a poetic realm of unique depth and emotional sincerity. Despite 1838 being one of his most successful, during 1840, Robert wrote over 138 songs. One can only wonder if this is connected to his frustration of not being able to marry his one true love, Clara. Her father was brazenly battling with Robert to prevent their marriage with legal swords, alas, the pair married in 1840, one day before her 21st birthday.
Clara was very delicate in appearance, but her will was mighty. She sat beside her husband as a true partner, honestly offering helpful criticism and a listening ear. Thankfully her father’s stubbornness faded, and they were all able to reconcile. Clara was always a busy bee, travelling to and from concerts to perform, all while taking on the role of mother to their 8 children. Despite Robert admiring and truly loving Clara, he felt inferior to her talent. Depression was also seizing his actions often. Soon to follow, Robert was said to have been suffering from a nerve and mental disorder.
In 1846, Robert felt better. Had he recovered? The family went to Vienna, traveling to Berlin. Robert was recognized for his work, and he excitedly received the attention. This was big news as he had only been famous in Dresden and Leipzig. Only 4 years later, his work revealed a creative decline and possibly a mental breakdown. Robert was a musical director at Dusseldorf but was perceived as impossible as a conductor, creating “epochal inefficiency”. Alas, his contract was cut.
Robert began hearing sounds of angelic music in his head and on one particular night, he dreamt that a ghost dictated a spirt theme to him. Soon though, these angelic visions were replaced with demonic ones. He knew something was off within himself and he warned Clara to stay away for her own well-being. On February 27th, 1854, Robert attempted suicide by throwing himself from a bridge. Rescued by a boatman, he asked to be taken to asylum for the insane. He remained there until he died in 1856, at only 46 years old. During his time here Clara was not permitted to visit, not until two days before he passed. He appeared to recognize her but could only speak a couple of words. Well… that’s heartbreaking.
His sister had also committed suicide years prior, following their fathers death. Robert’s illness has never been confirmed-many have speculations. Some say his symptoms appear to be those of mercury poisoning, which was a common treatment for syphilis then. Another cause is said to be an intracranial mass, which falls in line with a tumor noted to be at the base of his brain upon the autopsy being done. He also may have had bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. His diaries express that he heard a persistent A-note ringing, which is a form of tinnitus. My heart weeps for him, whatever the reason of his mental decline.
Despite the years his mind was succumb to torture, we can hold tight to the sound his peaceful ingenuity that echoed through his compositions, remaining a beautiful token of his elegiac and quixotic tones.
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Header quote, Robert Schumann