Clara Schumann
German pianist, composer and piano teacher Clara Wieck was born in Leipzig on 13 September 1819 to musicians, and became a child prodigy, learning piano from the age of four, and making her Leipzig Gewandhaus debut at nine, on 28 October 1828.
She is known as one of the most influential pianists of the Romantic period, as a composer, and for marrying Robert Schumann, with whom she had eight children. Her career was limited by that of her husband, and by household duties.
After Robert Schumann's death she continued to play in public into the 1880s, and taught piano in Frankfurt, including to international students. She also edited Robert Schumann's work for publication.
Clara Schumann died in Frankfurt on 20 May 1896, aged seventy-six, and was buried beside her husband in Bonn.
A selection of articles about Clara Schumann
Spotlight. A Winning Personality - Gerald Fenech strongly recommends music by Eugène Ysaÿe on the Avie Records label. '... passionate intensity and inspired brilliance ...'
Spotlight. The Wild and the Mild - Gerald Fenech finds the Bucharest Symphony Orchestra and conductor John Axelrod's new recording of contrasting versions of Robert Schumann's Symphony No 4 in D minor preciously invaluable. 'Performances, sound quality and presentation are a credit to the Orchid Classics label.'
CD Spotlight. In a Class of its Own - Recordings of Clara and Robert Schumann's piano concertos impress Gerald Fenech. 'Beatrice Rana's magical playing is complimented by incisive support from Yannick Nézet-Séguin and his Chamber Orchestra of Europe ...'
Ensemble. Absolute Brahms - Nineteenth century chamber music in Rome, heard by Giuseppe Pennisi
Ensemble. An Extraordinary Journey - Mike Wheeler listens to Charles Owen's piano recital at the 2022 Buxton Festival
Classical music news - July 2022 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month
Ensemble. Passionate Conducting - Daniel Harding concludes the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia's 2021-22 symphonic season in Rome, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi
Ensemble. Robert, Clara and the Others - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on an Accademia Filarmonica Romana concert in Rome
Classical music news. The Schoenberg Effect - The Berlin-based Notos Quartett's second album, devoted to Brahms, will be released on Sony Classical this month
Ensemble. A Veritable Cat's Cradle - Mike Wheeler listens to Robert and Clara Schumann, Chopin, Grieg and Cheryl Frances-Hoad, played by British pianist Tom Poster
Ensemble. Satisfyingly Unexpected - Mike Wheeler listens to Grieg, Clara Schumann, Kodály and Mozart from Frank Zielhorst and Sinfonia Viva
Ensemble. Woman for all Seasons - Gerald Fenech returns to Festival Maribor in Slovenia
Young Genius - George Colerick investigates the emotional life of Johannes Brahms in his twenties
CD Spotlight. Ready Solace - Brahms piano music, heard by Robert Anderson. '... Atzinger is at his best ...'
Ensemble. Inspired Artistry - The Israel Piano Trio at London's Wigmore Hall, enjoyed by Malcolm Miller
New Year Blues - A roundup of recent London concerts by Bill Newman
Passport to Heaven - Bill Newman listens to the Russian pianist Nelly Akopian-Tamarina
Ensemble. Orchestral Firepower - Lawrence Budmen sends his final report from the 2010 Tanglewood Festival
Ensemble. Crisp and Energetic - Ilya Gringolts, Sinfonia Viva and André de Ridder, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Imagination and Strength - Celebrating the Mendelssohn anniversary at Mannes College, reported by Anna L Franco
Ensemble. A Sparkling Account - The Kanazawa-Admony Piano Duo pays tribute to Carola Grindea, reviewed by Malcolm Miller
Rare Talent - Young Concert Artists Trust recitals, reviewed by Bill Newman
Ensemble. Dangers Transcended - A concert by Trio Albonata, enjoyed by Gordon Rumson
CD Spotlight. Positively Inspirational - Jennifer Koh plays Schumann, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... superbly accomplished performances ...'
CD Spotlight. Clara's Karma? - 150 years' postponement in publication of Clara Schumann's piano sonata, investigated by Jennifer Paull. '... Karen Kushner brings welcomed light ...'
Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - Sacrifice
CD Spotlight. Variable sonorities - Reacting to Chopin and Schumann, by Robert Anderson. '... some moments might well have caused Chopin to block his ears and flee across the Channel ...'
Robert and Clara - Major piano works of the Schumanns. Martino Tirimo in recital, with Malcolm Miller
CD Spotlight - Absolutely idiomatic. '... his expressiveness is faultless.' Schumann's Dichterliebe and other Heine settings, with Peter Dale