Clara Schumann

Composer

1819 — 1896

As composer, pianist and teacher Clara Schumann was one of 19th-century Germany's most influential musicians. She was born Clara Wieck in Leipzig, and her father trained her as a virtuoso pianist from an early age, she made her concert debut at Leipzig's Gewandhaus at the age of nine. Tours in Germany, Austria and France established her as one of Europe's pre-eminent pianists while still in her teens. She attracted the attention of the composer and critic Robert Schumann, nine years her senior, and the two became engaged in 1837. They married – despite furious resistance from her father – in 1840. By this time she had already completed her Piano Concerto (1835) as well as lieder and several sets of piano miniatures, and after her marriage she completed a Piano Sonata (1842) and Piano Trio (1846) as well as further piano works and songs, all while grappling with the demands of motherhood and Robert's deepening mental illness. By the time of Robert's death in 1856 she was already a mentor and confidante to the young Johannes Brahms: a relationship that endured until her own death at the age of 76. Although she resumed her concert career, and became an internationally famous piano teacher, she completed few original compositions after 1848. The ardent, strikingly romantic works that she did complete, though, have found renewed appreciation in the 21st century.

New on STAGE+

Show all

FREE

Yellow Lounge: Daniil Trifonov & Kian Soltani

Säälchen, Berlin

Concert80 Min

Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Beatrice Rana in Bruckner & Clara Schumann

Lucerne Festival

Concert103 Min

Nézet-Séguin & the COE: Brahms & Clara Schumann – with Beatrice Rana

Baden-Baden, 2022

Concert79 Min

Musical Moment: Emily D'Angelo & Sophia Muñoz

Tanzsaal an der Panke

Concert47 Min

Yellow Lounge: Women's Day 2021

Alte Münze, Berlin

Concert82 Min

Albums

Show all

Schumann

Kian Soltani, Gregory Ahss, Julien Quentin, Camerata Salzburg

Nightscapes

Magdalena Hoffmann

Treasures Of Bel Canto

Rolando Villazón, Cecilia Bartoli, Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Marco Armiliato

Reflection

Hélène Grimaud, Truls Mörk, Anne Sofie von Otter, Staatskapelle Dresden, Esa-Pekka Salonen

Johannes Brahms / Clara Schumann

Lisa Batiashvili, Alice Sara Ott, Staatskapelle Dresden, Christian Thielemann

The Romantic Violinist - A Celebration of Joseph Joachim

Daniel Hope, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Sakari Oramo

Holliger: Romancendres

Christoph Richter, Dénes Várjon, SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart, Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart, Heinz Holliger

An early virtuoso with extraordinary talent

Clara Wieck was born in Leipzig on 13 September 1819. Her father, Friedrich Wieck, recognised her extraordinary talent early on and devoted himself to her musical education with uncompromising dedication. She began playing the piano at the age of five and was soon taught other subjects such as composition, music theory and improvisation. At the age of nine, Clara gave her first public concert at the renowned Gewandhaus in Leipzig. Her technique, musicality, and stage presence impressed critics and audiences alike. Even as a teenager, she undertook extensive concert tours, which took her to Germany, Austria, and France. She received particular acclaim in Paris and Vienna, as she mastered even the most difficult passages with exceptional ease.

Career as a composer and teacher

Although Clara Schumann became known primarily as a pianist, she left behind an impressive body of compositional work. Even at a young age, she demonstrated her ability to combine musical ideas with technical skill. One of her most important works is the Piano Concerto in A minor Op. 7, which she composed at the age of just 16. Her compositions are characterised by a clear structure, passionate depth and the emotional intensity typical of the Romantic period. Her piano pieces and songs, which express life, love and the human soul in a subtle and soulful way, are also particularly noteworthy. In addition to her own musical career, Clara Schumann became one of the most sought-after piano teachers of her time. In Berlin and later in Frankfurt am Main, she trained numerous pianists who continued her tradition and high artistic standards.

Clara Schumann's best-known works

Clara Schumann set standards as a pianist. She was not only a brilliant technician, but also a pioneer of the modern concerto format. During her career, she organised numerous piano recitals in which she focused exclusively on the performance of one composer — a concept that was revolutionary at the time. Clara made it her mission to perform the works of Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Frédéric Chopin and Robert Schumann to a wide audience. Her aim was always not only to achieve technical perfection, but also to fully grasp and convey the emotional depth of the works. She attracted the attention of the composer and music critic Robert Schumann, nine years her senior, with whom she became engaged in 1837. She married him in 1840 against her father's fierce opposition. By this time, she had already completed her [Piano Concerto (1835)] as well as songs and several groups of piano miniatures, while she had to devote herself to her duties as a mother and the problems caused by Robert's increasing mental illness. Her Three Romances for Violin and Piano (Op. 22) are also particularly noteworthy and have captivated many musicians and listeners to this day. Clara was a tireless artist who, despite the challenges of her life — including bringing up her children and caring for her sick husband — always lived her musical vocation.

Late years and relationship with Johannes Brahms

When Robert died in 1856, she was already a mentor and close friend of the young Johannes Brahms; this relationship lasted until her death at the age of 76. After her husband's death, Clara Schumann dedicated herself to the task of preserving and promoting his musical legacy. She became the editor of his works and worked tirelessly to publicise his compositions. At the same time, she continued her own concert activities and achieved international recognition as a leading interpreter of romantic piano music. Even at an advanced age, Clara remained one of the most important musicians in Europe. She passed on her experience and knowledge to the next generation. She influenced numerous young pianists and played a decisive role in preserving the importance of classical music and the Romantic tradition for future musicians. Clara Schumann died in Frankfurt am Main in 1896 at the age of 76. Her life and work remain an outstanding example of how a single artist:can change the world of music.

A look at Clara's compositional legacy

Clara Schumann continued to devote herself to concert activities during her marriage and became an internationally renowned piano teacher, but she composed very little after 1848. The passionate, decidedly romantic works that she did complete are being recognised anew in the 21st century. Her compositions, which have been repeatedly pushed into the background over the years, are experiencing a renaissance today. What is special about Clara's music is her ability to combine emotion with impressive virtuosity and a clear formal structure. Her work is not only a reflection of her time, but also an impressive expression of her personality and her experiences.