So, we’ve all had a bit of a change in scenery… instead of writing from my dorm room, I’m writing from my bedroom in Jefferson, Maryland. And you all will most likely be reading this from home as well. Stay safe in these trying times and wash your dang hands please!
Anyways. As you might have noticed over the course of my blog, all of the composers I’ve covered so far have been men. However, this week we’ll be talking about Clara Schumann, wife of composer Robert Schumann and one of the leading composers (of both genders) in the Romantic period.
According to author Jane Jones, Clara Schumann deserves more than the “suffering housewife” title. Clara was a child piano prodigy, urged by her music teacher father to practice hours every day. At age 13, Clara was already performing around Europe, one of the first to do so from memory – she set the trend that has become standard for professional pianists today.
Clara was already composing in her teens; she finished her Piano Concerto in A Minor, a fiendishly difficult yet original piece that premiered with Felix Mendelssohn as conductor. She continued to tour Europe as a piano virtuoso and was elected into the prestigious Society of the Friends of Music (whose members included other prominent Romantic composers, including Brahms). Clara was already breaking stereotypes and proving herself in a man’s world before she even turned 21.
Clara had to battle her father in and out of court for the right to marry Robert Schumann. The marriage went through, although Robert wasn’t particularly supportive of Clara’s compositions. For example, Clara composed her Piano Sonata in G Minor as a gift to her husband, yet he didn’t want her to publish it, and it remained unknown until the 1980s! He thought that she should focus only on their eight children, even though Clara was the main breadwinner (which was quite unusual for a woman) through performing – Robert’s compositions didn’t always “bring home the bacon” (Duchen).
Clara’s works were dismissed by some at the time; of course, Robert had to be the “real mind” behind them because a woman couldn’t compose – it simply wasn’t right. However, many of Clara’s songs were more popular than Robert’s… they just couldn’t keep this woman down.
According to pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason, Clara’s music draws from other Romantic composers yet is startlingly original – one can hear the romance and strength of her character in her music. She wrote a series of Romances with Joseph Joachim, a prominent violinist and close friend to her and Brahms, which showcased her unique style and development as a composer.
In addition to her groundbreaking composing and the power of her musical career, Clara had to find a new kind of strength to hold her family together as Robert’s mental health declined. Somehow, this incredible woman managed to perform on endless concert tours, teach at the Leipzig Conservatory, maintain her home and support her eight children. She continued her pianist career in the midst of family turmoil at a time when most women didn’t even hope for a career.
The deterioration of Robert’s mental health brought his good friend Brahms to the Schumann house to help Clara. Brahms fell wholeheartedly and perhaps unrequitedly in love with Clara as they spent time together. His letters to her demonstrate that their friendship may have turned into something more, although the possible love story is still quite a mystery. Despite their complicated relationship, Brahms championed Clara’s career, and Clara was the first to publicly perform Brahms’ compositions.
For some reason, Clara felt guilty about the pleasure she took in composing and stopped after Robert was admitted to an asylum and eventually died there. It appears she was not immune to the social stereotypes of the 19th century; she wrote, “I once believed that I possessed creative talent, but I have given up on this idea; a woman must not desire to compose – there has never yet been one able to do it. Should I expect to be the one?”
Although she might not have believed in her talent, she still was the first widely known female composer and was a top-tier piano virtuoso. After her husband’s early death, she edited his collected work and transcribed his pieces “Widmung” and “Mondnacht.”
Clara Schumann was a trailblazer. In her lifetime, she broke gender barriers to become a pianist and composer. Even though her work wasn’t recognized as much during her lifetime, her legacy lives on today – the world has rediscovered her works and given her rightful recognition alongside the other Romantic era composers.
Here are some more of her pieces to check out!
And of course, here’s our musical meme of the week!
Here are my sources:
“Clara Schumann Was Completely Unique and Awesome – and Here’s Why.” Classic FM, Classic FM, 13 Sept. 2018, www.classicfm.com/discover-music/clara-schumann-facts-pianist-composer/.
“Clara Schumann.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 9 Sept. 2019, www.britannica.com/biography/Clara-Schumann.
Duchen, Jessica. “Clara Schumann: The Overlooked Romantic Composer You Need To Know.” UDiscover Music, UDiscover Music, 17 Sept. 2019, www.udiscovermusic.com/classical-features/music-of-clara-schumann/.