Introduction

Robert Schumann was a true romantic. He displayed this in his poetry, his art and especially his music. Although his life was plagued with death and mental instability , his music dissipates an aura of tranquility upon us. His brothers all died young, and one of his sisters, Emilie, drowned herself at the age of 20. Many believe that there was a family curse upon their name. Whether that is true is still quite debatable.

Historical Context

Robert Schumann was born in Germany on June 8th, 1810. His early childhood held no hint of the upcoming tragedy for him and his family. His family was not poor, or abusive. Actually, they were quite normal. At the age of six, Schumann wrote a few immature pieces. However, he did have a love for music and by the age of eleven, he was conducting the school band. Schumann's father died early, and his mother had him whisked away to law school. After deciding that music was his calling, he quit law school and learned to play the piano. His first instructor promised him that he would make him a virtuoso. Instead he crippled one of Schumann's fingers for life using an invention that was designed to strengthen it. Nonetheless, through this instructor, he met Clara, who he would go on to marry.

Although neither parents agreed, they both wrote music to each other to express their love for each other. Schumann's Sonata in f minor is known as his heart's cry for her. After their marriage, Schumann celebrated with a year's worth of songs of happiness. In 1841, he wrote his first symphony as well as a great portion of his chamber music. Within these pieces is his Piano Quintet in Eb, op.44, a member of The Fifteen Greatest.

As Schumann's mental capacity deteriorated, he began to have hallucinations. In 1854, he bade farewell to his wife and threw himself into the Rhine. He was rescued and put into a sanitorium. Two years later, after almost losing control of his limns, he died on July 29th, 1856.

His Famous Compositions

Schumann created many notable pieces of work. Schumann wrote three string quartets in 1842, a fertile period that saw also the composition of the Piano Quintet in Eb, op.44 and a Piano Quartet in Eb, op.44. Other important chamber music by Schumann includes three piano trios, three violin sonatas and a number of shorter character-pieces that include the Märchenbilder for viola and piano, collections of his piano solos. His four symphonies are also very good and his cello concerto is absolutely divine.

• List of Chamber Works by Schumann
• Other Romantic Composers
• Classical Net: Robert Schumann
• The Robert Schumann Homepage

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