Biography

Robert Schumann

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Schumann studied Law and at the same time attended piano lessons. He ignored all musical theory because in his mind the romantic music had only to be inspired by fantasy. Publishing the "Neue Zeitschrift fuer Musik" he supported young composers of his time like Frédéric Chopin or Johannes Brahms. His own compositions where accepted when his wife 'Clara Wieck' - a famous piano player - played them during her concerts. Schumann suffered from mental depressions which became more serious with his age leading into schizophrenia. He died in an mental asylum near Bonn in 1856.
- IMDb mini biography by: Volker Boehm

Eight children by his wife Clara Wieck Schumann: Marie Schumann, born September 1 1841; Elise Schumann, born April 25 1843; Julie Schumann, born March 11 1845; Emil Schumann, born February 8 1846; Ludwig Schumann, born January 20 1848; Ferdinand Schumann, born July 16 1849; Eugenie Schumann, born December 1 1851; and Felix Schumann, born June 11 1854. Like his father, Ludwig Schumann suffered from mental illness and spent 31 years in a mental hospital.
During Schumann's two and a half years in an asylum near Bonn, his wife Clara was forbidden to visit him until a few days before his death. He recognized her but could no longer speak intelligibly. She stayed with him to the end.
In 1850 Schumann posed for two daguerreotypes, one with his wife Clara. He was the second great composer to be photographed, after Frédéric Chopin in 1847 and 1849.
Originally wanted to become a virtuoso pianist. This dream ended in 1831 when he permanently injured his right hand, possibly while using a sketchy device to "strengthen" his fingers.
In his lifetime Schumann's fame was overshadowed by that of his wife, the concert pianist Clara Schumann. When they attended parties together he hated being asked, "Are you a musician too?".

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