Robert Schumann
1810-1856
Period of Music: Romantic
Nationality: German
Instruments he played: piano
Popular songs: Album for the Young, Scenes from Childhood,
Carnaval, Papillons (piano); Piano
Concerto in A Minor (orchestra);
many songs (vocal)
Interesting Facts:
-Schumann began piano
lessons at six years old.
-He studied law at the
University of Leipzig and Heidelberg University.
-Schumann was more
interested in music than in law and eventually
gave it up and moved to Leipzig in 1828 where he studied piano
and
began to compose.
-He permanently
injured his hand in 1832 working on a device to
strengthen his fingers.
-Schumann started a
magazine, New Journal for Music, in
which he
wrote articles and reviewed music and concerts. He became
well known as a critic, editor and a great spokesperson for
Romantic music.
-In 1840 Robert
married Clara who was an outstanding pianist and
inspired many of his songs.
-Robert and Clara
Schumann had eight children; he composed
Album
for the Young for his own children.
-In 1843 Schumann was
named teacher of piano, composition and
score-reading at the new Leipzig Conservatory.
-He composed four
symphonies, a piano concerto, chamber music,
one opera and many songs.
