Robert Schumann (1810–1856)

Born:

8th June 1810 in Zwickau, Saxony, Germany.

Schumann’s grave in Bonn

Died:

29th July 1856 in Bonn, Germany.

Buried:

Alter Friedhof (Old Cemetery) in Bonn, Germany (in the same grave as his wife Clara Schumann).

Type of Music:

Classical music from the romantic period.

A famous piece:

• Träumerei (Dreaming) from Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood) for the piano. (See below for a video.)

Some Great Pieces:

• Piano Concerto. (See below for a video.)
• Piano Quintet in E flat, Op. 44.
• Many songs.
• Many piano pieces, such as Papillons (Butterflies), Carnaval, Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood) and Kreisleriana.

Some interesting facts:

• His piano concerto is one of the most famous piano concertos of all time!
• He was taught by the famous piano teacher, Friederich Wieck, who became his father-in-law.
• His wife, Clara Schumann, was also a composer!,
• Clara’s father did not want Schumann to marry her. Schumann even went to court to try and get permission!
• He tried a shortcut to getting better at playing the piano—he tied weights to his fingers when he practiced! Unfortunately this damaged his fingers and he was never able to play properly again!
• Until 1839 he only composed music for the piano.
• After 1839 he suddenly wrote lots of songs. Some of these songs are among the greatest songs ever written.
• He tried to kill himself in 1854 and spent the rest of his life in a hospital for mentally ill people. 🙁