Clara Wieck Schumann is not only important to 19th Century Music, but to all of music history. Clara was a true child prodigy in spite of her father’s efforts to manufacture one; and went beyond that phenomenon to become the first woman virtuoso pianist-not just technically, but above all, musically. She was one of the first to perform from memory and composed over fifty works.

Clara Josephine Wieck was born September 13, 1819 in Leipzig, Germany. Her mother, Marianne, was an accomplished pianist and professional singer. Her father Friedrich, was a music teacher. Evidently, Friedrich was a tyrant, whith whom Marianne could not cope. They divorced before Clara was five years old. Children were property of the father in such cases. This trauma intensified Clara’s quiet demeanor, but her musical training was begun shortly thereafter. She was groomed by her father to be a prodigy--more as a reflection of himself as a teacher than for her own benefit. One can glean much from Clara’s lifelong diary, but one must keep in mind that her father started it and the first entries were “supervised” by Dad. Clara began concertizing and composing when she was 9 years old.

Robert Schumann came to their household to board the following year (he was 20). Initially, Robert and Clara enjoyed a platonic relationship, but as Clara entered womanhood their relationship turned serious. Friedrich, unwilling to let go of his “creation”, would not consent to their marriage. Clara actually left home over the turmoil and renewed her relationship with her mother in Berlin. By age 20, Miss Wieck concertized alone. After appealing to the courts, she and Robert won permission to marry just before she turned 21.

Mrs. Clara Schumann bore Robert 8 children. Emil died in infancy. Four other of her children preceded Clara in death. Felix (named for Mendelssohn) and Julie died in their 20s of tuberculosis; Ferdinand, being treated for rheumatism, died of morphine addiction. Ludwig, like his father, suffered severe mental illness and was committed to an insane asylum from age 22.

Robert and Clara were soul mates through music and poetry. They were musical advocates for each other's work, moving to Dresden for Robert’s declining mental health and again to Dusseldorf for Robert’s career. Clara continued to tour and compose. She premiered Robert’s works and performed in over 1,000 concerts.

Unfortunately, Robert died in 1856 leaving Clara with many burdens. Brahms remained the personal and family friend of Clara. She continued to tour and edited Robert’s complete musical works in 1877. Clara did not continue composing however after Robert’s death, a testimony to what they might not have been without each other. She died of a stroke on May 20, 1896 at the age of 76. From a child playing the piano for the likes of Goethe to a pianist second only to Liszt, Clara Schumann left a legacy as a pianist more so than that of a woman or a composer.

Posted 18 October 2007